The citizen led group Our High River is partnering with the Town to launch the Community Vitality Fund.

The Community Vitality Fund is a partnership of three community funds; the Neighbourhood Matching Fund, the Economic Development Fund, and Arts & Culture Vitality Fund, which came from a $10,000 donation from the television show Tin Star filming in High River.

The three different categories have $10,000 available in each.

Community Support Worker with the Town, Caitland Asmundson says funds are available for groups or individuals to come up with projects or events that'll make the town better.

"The first thing that we want people to do is to contact me and we can has a conversation about their project, because a big part of this is not just about the product at the end, but it's about the process," Asmundson says. "We want to help people build capacity and learn about getting involved with their local municipal government and building relationships and working in partnership with other community members or groups."

In order to qualify for funding, applicants must demonstrate that their project will address some of the objectives of the Community Vitality Fund, such as:

-Increasing the beauty and integrity of neighbourhoods
-Stimulating communication and interaction between neighbours, citizens and local government
-Drawing awareness, encouraging visitation, or attracting tourism to High River
-Encouraging community based arts and culture projects within High River
 
Each project can receive up to $2,000 and the funds have to be matched with either cash or donations in kind including sweat equity.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis up until December 1, 2016 and must be received two weeks prior to the anticipated start date of the project.

To apply, contact Caitland (403.603.3447) to discuss your project and how to complete the application.  Submit your Community Vitality Fund Application by email to casmundson@highriver.ca or in person by appointment at the Culture Centre, 251 – 9 Avenue S.W.