Charities
Alberta Orange Foundation for Children
This foundation supports individual children and registered charitable organizations aiding orphaned, handicapped and underprivileged children who are 18 years of age or younger in Alberta. Speak to someone from the foundation by calling (780) 467-1161.
Burns Memorial Fund
Grants are available to improve and sustain the quality of life for special needs children in low-income families by providing funds for services and equipment. Learn more at burnsfund.com/programs/childrens-fund or email the fund at info@burnsfund.com.
Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society provides transportation subsidy assistance for travelling to and from cancer treatment and follow-up appointments. They also have compassionate financial assistance programs. Eligibility is based on meeting certain criteria. Read more at cancer.ca.
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
CNIB supports individuals who are blind or partially blind. CNIB provides support for guide dog assistance, scholarships and bursaries and much more. Visit cnib.ca for more information.
Cerebral Palsy of Alberta
The Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta (CPAA) is a registered non-profit organization that supports people affected by cerebral palsy and other disabilities in the Province of Alberta. You must be a member, so sign up today at cpalberta.com.
Children’s Ability Fund
The Children’s Ability Fund mission is to enhance the independence of persons with disabilities throughout northern Alberta. They do this by providing funding for specialized equipment. Call them at (780) 454-9191 or visit them on the web at childrensabilityfund.ca.
Children’s Wish
Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta grants wishes to children living with life-threatening medical conditions. Their aim is to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Contact them at 1-800-267-9474 or childrenswish.ca.
Dreams Take Flight
This is a national volunteer charitable organization dedicated to providing the trip of a lifetime to physically, mentally or socially challenged children. Learn more at dreamstakeflight.ca.
Easter Seals
Regardless of age, disease or disability, Easter Seals help with accessibility and mobility equipment to enhance quality of life for Albertans with special needs. Visit easterseals.ab.ca for more information.
Edmonton Civic Employee Benefit
This organization provides special aid assistance and scholarships for children. You must be a contributing member of the organization – nine unions and associations are members. Visit ececaf.ca for more information.
For the Love of Children Society of Alberta
This organization helps special needs children and children who are suffering from high-risk, life threatening illness or trauma in Canada and overseas. They organize fantasy flights and programs for children at risk. Visit fortheloveofchildrensociety.org.
Good Neighbour Fund
This is a registered charitable organization that provides limited financial resources or assistance to individuals in Edmonton and Northern Alberta. For more information, visit goodneighbourfund.ca.
Kids Cancer Foundation of Alberta
(formerly Kids Cancer Camps)
KCFA helps children and their families facing childhood cancer by providing programs and funding in areas, including camp, for young people and their families affected by cancer, pediatric oncology research, clinical support, and by providing education (post-secondary preparation/post-secondary) bursaries to young adults who have a history of childhood cancer. Learn more at kidscancercare.ab.ca and get in touch with them at staff@kidscancercare.ab.ca.
Mobility Basics
mobilitybasics.ca lists funding sources for equipment, in addition to car manufacturers that provide discounts for alterations to vehicles needed to accommodate individuals with physical disabilities.
President’s Choice Children Charity
PC considers applications from families whose children have been diagnosed with a range of disabilities, including cerebral palsy, autism, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida and other various developmental disabilities. To qualify, the household annual income must be $70,000 or less. They provide direct financial assistance in the purchase of mobility equipment, wheelchair accessible modifications, and more. Call them at 1-877-525-4762 or visit pcchildrenscharity.ca/
Rainbow Society of Alberta
The Rainbow Society of Alberta is dedicated to fulfilling wishes for Albertan children between the ages of three and 18 who have a chronic or life-threatening illness. Check out rainbowsociety.ab.ca/about/default.asp for more information.
Shriners Children Hospital
This hospital provides world-class care with a host of orthopedic and neuromusculoskeletal disorders in a family-focused environment. Shriners is committed to helping children improve their quality of life and achieve as much independence as possible.
Read more at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/Hospitals/Locations/.
Sunshine Dreams for Kids
This organization grants wishes to kids with severe disabilities and life-threatening illnesses. To qualify, the child must be between the age of three and prior to their 18th birthday, have at least the cognitive ability of a three-year-old, live in Canada and be able to formulate their dream (this must be the dream of the child) and be able to communicate their dream with or without technical assistance. No consideration is given to a child who has received a dream or wish from a similar organization. Call 1-800-461-7635 ext 224, or visit sunshine.ca.
Walter and Wayne Gretzky Foundation for Blind Youth of Canada
This organization provides academic post-secondary education scholarships to eligible blind and visually impaired students. Visit the website at cnib.ca/en/about/awards/scholarships/wgs for all the details, or call (519) 459-8665.
