Future Focus is the collaborative arts funding program that Calgary Foundation participates in with CADA and Rozsa Foundation. The program has been very successful in helping arts organizations, facing existential questions following the pandemic, to access funding to either explore up to 15,000 dollars or implement up to 25,000 dollars strategies to fundamentally transform their operations. This year the program will add a third level of funding up to 5,000 dollars to bring together leadership, stakeholders and consultants to develop the initial question that the organization needs to answer. Also, Rozsa has assumed administration of the program from CADA.
Our membership to the Philanthropic Foundations of Canada is divided into two separate payments. Membership of 25,000 dollars and a voluntary contribution of an additional $25,000. We have contributed this additional 25,000 dollars since originally joining the network. PFC refers to itself as Canadas national philanthropic network. Working together towards a more just, equitable and sustainable world.
Knox United Church will be holding a ManVan clinic, to expand its community involvement in a public health outreach regarding cancer of the prostate. The clinic offers a screening blood test PSA) for prostate cancer to males between the age of 40 and 80, especially for men who do not have ongoing medical care.
Calgary Animated Objects Society (CAOS) is designing “Grey Guardians,” a new educational program for seniors that uses puppets and role playing to increase seniors’ understanding of cyber security.
Grey Guardians educates seniors (65+) how to recognize and combat digital threats such as phishing, romance scams, and identity theft through an interactive in-person presentation using puppets, repetition, humour, and role-playing to ensure key lessons are memorable. Grey Guardians’ blend of visual storytelling and active engagement helps seniors connect key concepts and lessons to real-life situations, empowering them to recognize and respond to potential dangers in their lives.
Springboard Performance seeks to install a sprung floor in our new shared facility with Inside Out Theatre. As a cultural hub, the venue has the potential to attract a diverse range of artists, dancers, and cultural enthusiasts who need affordable and safe space for rehearsals, performances, and workshops. However, the current concrete flooring significantly limits the potential of our programming and poses significant risk to dancers and physical artists. While a facility upgrade is targeted in 1-2 years, for the interim, we need to find a safe solution for the floor. DJD has helped by donating a sprung floor, but we require $10,000 to install the sprung floor, an essential upgrade to ensure the safety of our community.
MPC Foundation has the opportunity to develop a new program aimed at providing convenient, accessible and free income tax filing services for seniors. The primary goal of this initiative is to reduce barriers to essential services for seniors facing challenges such as language and mobility limitations. While similar services are available, they are often located in downtown areas, making them inaccessible for multi-barriered seniors residing in suburban neighborhoods. This new program will address these challenges by bringing income tax filing services directly to seniors, setting up service locations within their own communities to ensure ease of access and inclusivity.