Field Law, a western and northern regional law firm, is excited to announce the launch of its 6th annual Field Law Community Fund Program (the Program). The Program supports local initiatives and causes within communities in Northern and Southern Alberta and the Northwest Territories. In 2018, the Program will donate $75,000 across all three regions.

The Program allows for local individuals, groups or organizations (registered and non-registered), to apply for funding over the course of five weeks. Program winners can receive anywhere from $1,000 to the maximum award of $30,000 for their specific Community Market. Funds will be allocated in varying amounts to each market, with the maximum award set at $30,000 for each of the Northern and Southern Alberta Markets, and $15,000 for the Northwest Territories Market. Finalists are chosen by a combination of public online voting and deliberation by a Community Market Judging Panel.

Over the past five years, the Program has supported 68 community causes through $400,000 in funding. In 2017, the grand prize winner in the Southern Alberta market was Read Well, Think Well Initiative, a Calgary group promoting literacy in children from low-income families. In Northern Alberta, the grand prize winner was the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts “Heart in the Art of Silk” program, which provides fibre crafting workshops to over 170 artists with developmental disabilities. Food First Foundation’s “Tastemakers” program won in the Northwest Territories market, which tackles food insecurity in children and youth. 

Among last year’s winners was the NWT Breast Health/Breast Cancer Action Group. “We’re very grateful for the grant because it’s made it possible for us to continue to support women in Yellowknife who are experiencing cancer,” says Marsha Argue of the Group.. “Thanks to support from the Program, our workshops can help women deal with appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment and provided information on nutrition and self care for cancer survivors that can be shared with a whole community of cancer survivors.” 

“Last year, we celebrated five years of the Community Fund Program, and saw exciting growth in the Program and many new, inspiring ideas for the future of our communities” says Doreen Saunderson, Firm Managing Partner at Field Law. “In 2018, we’ll continue to be a strong community partner in all markets, and strive to build the enduring relationships that extend beyond our clients to the communities they operate in.”

Last year, Field Law saw record-breaking engagement on its community platforms, doubling the number of public votes. The fact that engagement continues to grow every year demonstrates the support many of these groups need to continue the compassionate and critically relevant work they do. Applicants and members of the public are invited to join the conversation by using the hashtag #FieldForward, and by following Field Law on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

The 2018 Field Law Community Fund Program is now open for applications. To apply for the Program and to learn more, visit www.fieldlawcommunityfund.com. Interested individuals and/or groups must submit their online application by 5:00 PM MDT on Monday, May 7, 2018. 

If members of the public are interested in participating in the Judging Panel in a Community Market, they can contact Kate at krieger@fieldlaw.com by May 31, 2018.

ABOUT FIELD LAW 
Field Law is a western and northern regional business law firm listed as one of the largest in Canada, with offices in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The firm is a proud, strong and independent multi-office regional firm with lawyers dedicated to professional excellence, client service and delivering value. More than 120 lawyers and 160 staff work together to provide a wide variety of legal services to businesses and institutions in corporate and commercial matters, litigation and dispute resolution, labour and employment, insurance, energy, intellectual property,  privacy, professional regulatory and medical malpractice issues. Additionally, the firm provides private services to individuals including estate planning services and real estate transactions.  

For media inquiries:
Maddie Alvarez
NATIONAL Public Relations
Phone: (403) 531-0331
Email: malvarez@national.ca