Field Law, a regional law firm with offices in Calgary, Edmonton and Yellowknife, is pleased to announce the Northern Alberta winners of the 2016 Field Law Community Fund Program. The annual Program, which supports local community initiatives and projects, received a record number of 122 applications this year, 41 of which came from the Northern Alberta community market. Field Law granted one grand prize award and four additional awards to initiatives in this community market, providing a total of $30,000 in funding to help launch or grow each local project.

In 2016, the Program distributed a total of $75,000 to community initiatives, with $30,000 going to each of the Northern and Southern Alberta markets, and $15,000 going to the Northwest Territories market. The Program’s selection process for winners included a combination of online voting and deliberation by a local judging panel composed of Field Law representatives, clients and community members. Through the online voting period, the public is given the opportunity to support the ideas they believe to be the most deserving of funding. The votes indicate to panelists which projects resonate with the local community and are factored into their final decision-making.

“Community involvement has always been a top priority for Field, which is why we are extremely pleased to help organizations that are striving to make a positive difference in the community,” said Geoff Hope, Partner and Executive Committee Member, Field Law. “Due to the recent economic downturn, many organizations are in greater need of funding and we are truly inspired by the overwhelming response and support these initiatives receive from the Edmonton community.”

Field Law congratulates the following prize winners of the 2016 Field Law Community Fund Program:

Put a Kid to Bed ($10,000 grand prize recipient)

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Edmonton Central Council is a social justice organization that serves the disadvantaged in the Capital Region of Alberta. The organization distributes furniture, household goods, clothing, emergency food, bus passes and other donated goods to the underprivileged in Edmonton.

Spruce Grove Public Library Presents: Bibliotherapy Wellness Backpacks ($6,000 recipient)

Spruce Grove Public Library created Wellness Backpacks that provide individuals and families with the opportunity to improve their understanding of themselves and one another with information to help in coping with difficult life circumstances, such as grief and depression.

SOUND OFF: A Deaf Theatre Festival ($6,000 recipient)

The Workshop West Playwrights' Theatre developed SOUND OFF, the first Deaf Theatre Festival in Canadian history. SOUND OFF aims to increase the exposure for deaf artists and audiences in Edmonton, while also giving deaf audiences the opportunity to participate in theatre.

Literacy and Homework Programs ($5,000 recipient)

The Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton (BGCBigs) launched the Literacy and Homework Programs that provide immigrant, newcomer and Aboriginal youth the opportunity to enhance literacy and have targeted homework and reading help after school and in the summer months.

Bissell Centre Community Food Initiative ($3,000 recipient)

The Bissell Centre implemented a Community Food Initiative where healthy food is cultivated onsite and then use directly for meals at the Drop-In Centre. The project will improve community cohesion, create opportunities to develop new skills, and educate participants on healthy eating.

Field Law’s preferred causes include (but are not exclusive to) those that support education, healthcare, at-risk youth, arts and culture, homelessness, community and sports, and women’s organizations. The Program launched in all three of Field Law’s offices in Alberta and the Northwest Territories in 2013 and is now an annual initiative that has awarded $325,000 to 55 initiatives. To learn more about the Field Law Community Fund Program, please visit www.fieldlawcommunityfund.com.

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 170 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, occupational health and safety, privacy, professional regulatory and medical malpractice issues. Additionally, the firm provides private services to individuals including estate planning services and real estate transactions. As a member of SCG Legal, Field Law’s clients also gain access to a seamless national and global network of firms allowing members to navigate a complex and ever-changing legal landscape with local support.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Lindsay Hischebett
Field Law
403-260-8573
lhischebett@fieldlaw.com