$500K in grants earmarked for Alberta groups that help women and girls

The province is setting aside $500,000 in grants to distribute to organizations that focus on trying to improve the lives of women and girls.

• Employed Albertans turn to food banks at twice national rate

The money will go to groups such as registered charities, not-for-profits and community-based coalitions that want to pilot innovative ideas or expand on existing projects.

"When women succeed, whole communities and economies succeed. That's why we are investing in ideas that support Alberta women," said Status of Women Minister Stephanie McLean.

To be eligible, projects will have to focus on one of three areas:

• Helping women secure good jobs and closing the wage gap.
• Preventing and responding to violence against women and girls.
• Encouraging women to run for elected office or apply for boards and senior leadership roles.

Groups can apply for up to $10,000 for sending people to conferences or training, up to $50,000 to organize conferences or work on special projects, and up to $100,000 to create mentorship relationships or expand a successful initiative to other parts of Alberta.

The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 16.

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