Today, Parks Foundation Calgary and Calgary Flames Foundation are pleased to announce a unique new fundraising program called Calgary Flames Support for Sport, which will provide fundraising opportunities and a cash infusion for the city’s grassroots and amateur sports groups and organizations.

Calgary Flames Support for Sport will provide groups with a dedicated fundraising program, with dollars raised by sports teams being boosted with a $200,000 donation from the Calgary Flames Foundation.

To further support fundraising, the Calgary Flames Foundation is providing $200,000 in matching funds through its COVID-19 Community Support Program, by giving a 50% top-up to groups for every dollar they raise on the platform, up to $5,000 per organization. All donations will be eligible to receive a tax receipt.

Says Sheila Taylor, CEO of Parks Foundation Calgary, “COVID-19 has impacted our city in so many ways. We believe that our city’s sport organizations are key to maintaining community connection, leadership and resiliency, and we wanted to ensure they could get the help they need.”

Says Candice Goudie, Executive Director of Calgary Flames Foundation, “The vitality and health of our community is more important than ever. We believe in the power of sport and the benefit of recreation on individual and community wellbeing and we are proud to partner with Parks Foundation Calgary on this initiative that will support this in our City.”

Sport Calgary has reported that about half of all Calgary sport organizations feel they can only sustain operations for six months or less without further assistance, and rent is their number one cost concern. Further, 97 per cent of respondents said they experienced a decrease in revenue from fees, and 74 per cent have experienced a decrease in revenue from fundraising, grants or sponsorship.

The Calgary Flames Support for Sport Program has been designed to assist sports organizations in their fundraising efforts to help meet their short-term operating needs. For qualified applicants, the Program will:

  • Open unique fundraising accounts for individual sport non-profit organizations
  • Encourage Calgarians to donate to help sport organizations they care about
  • Provide a platform for participating non-profits to solicit donations from Calgarians, friends and organizational partners
  • Have no administrative costs to participate, however third-party transaction fees may apply.

Applications are now open until October 15, 2020, and can be completed at the Parks Foundation Calgary website at www.parksfdn.com/calgary-flames-support-for-sport.

Successful applicants will be notified of their status within 14 days. Fundraising campaigns will start on September 15, 2020 and will close on December 31, 2020.

Groups will be provided with a marketing package with tools to help promote their cause, but are ultimately responsible for soliciting their own donations, awareness and support.

For more information about Calgary Flames Support for Sport, please contact Parks Foundation Calgary at info@parksfdn.com.

About Parks Foundation Calgary

Since its establishment in 1985 as a non-profit organization, Parks Foundation Calgary has supported and improved the communities and public spaces in the city. Parks Foundation makes Calgary a great city for its residents and guests by enhancing healthy lifestyle. It also contributes to Calgarians enjoyment by providing easily accessible, unique & recreational sport and green spaces in the community. Visit www.parksfdn.com or find Parks Foundation Calgary on social media @ParksFdnCalgary.

About The Calgary Flames Foundation

The mandate of the Calgary Flames Foundation is to improve the lives of southern Albertans through support of health and wellness, education and grassroots sports programs.  Since the ownership group brought the team to Calgary in 1980 the Calgary Flames Foundation has injected millions into the community. The Calgary Flames Foundation has directed over $2.5 million through the Calgary Flames Foundation COVID-19 Community Support Program launched on March 21, 2020.  For more information visit www.calgaryflamesfoundation.com