Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)
The Pincher Creek and District Family and Community Support Services facilitates preventative social services and community initiatives which contribute to quality of life and family wellness in the communities of the Town of Pincher Creek, the Municipal District of Pincher Creek #9 and the Village of Cowley.
FCSS Grant Funding Applications
Pincher Creek & District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is now accepting applications for 2027 Core Grant Funding.
Funding is available to eligible non-profit and voluntary organizations delivering preventive social programs and services to residents of the Town of Pincher Creek, MD of Pincher Creek, or Village of Cowley.
Application deadline: September 18, 2026
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Who can apply?
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements. In general, the proposed program must:
-
Be delivered by a non-profit or voluntary organization.
-
Serve residents of the Town of Pincher Creek, M.D. of Pincher Creek or Village of Cowley.
-
Provide preventive social services.
-
Align with at least one FCSS Prevention Strategy.
-
Not be primarily recreational, rehabilitative or leisure-based.
-
Not provide direct financial or material assistance.
-
Not duplicate a service already provided by the provincial government.
-
Not request funding for capital expenses, such as vehicles, construction, or the purchase or renovation of buildings.
New applicants, inter-agency initiatives and programs supported by multiple funding sources are welcome to apply. Organizations may also submit applications for more than one eligible program.
Before you apply
Applications should clearly describe:
-
The organization and proposed program.
-
The community need the program will address.
-
Who the program will serve and where it will be delivered.
-
How the program will provide preventive support.
-
The anticipated outcomes and how they will be measured.
-
The role of community partners and volunteers.
-
How FCSS funding will be used.
-
Whether the program could continue with partial funding.
A detailed program budget must also be submitted using the
provided template. The completed budget must be saved and submitted as a PDF.
There is no maximum application amount; however, applicants should request an amount appropriate to the program and identify any other anticipated funding sources. Applications may be approved for less than the full amount requested.
Application review and funding decisions
Applications are reviewed by the Pincher Creek & District FCSS Board of Directors. Meeting the eligibility and application requirements does not guarantee funding.
Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by October 20, 2026. Approved organizations will be required to enter into a funding agreement outlining payment, reporting and other funding conditions. Core Grant funds are generally distributed quarterly beginning January 1, 2027, unless otherwise stated in the agreement.
Retroactive funding will not be considered.
Application documents
Before submitting your application, download and review the following documents:
Need help?
For questions about eligibility, outcome measures or completing the application, contact Lindsey at 403-627-4406 or
fcss@pinchercreek.ca.
What is FCSS?
Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) is a joint municipal/provincial funding program established to develop, support, and fund preventive social services.
FCSS is an 80/20 funding partnership between the Government of Alberta, municipalities and Metis Settlements. Provincially, the FCSS Program receives its mandate from the Family and Community Support Services Act and Regulation.
Under FCSS, communities design and deliver social programs that are preventive in nature to promote and enhance well-being among individuals, families, and communities. The programs depend on community resources, often involving volunteers in management and delivery.
The FCSS philosophy is based on a belief that self-help contributes to a sense of integrity, self-worth and independence. The developed programs are intended to help individuals in their community to adopt healthy lifestyles, thereby improving the quality of life and building the capacity to prevent and/or deal with crisis situations should they arise.
One of the key principles of the FCSS Program is local responsibility in priority-setting and resource allocation. FCSS emphasizes local decision-making for programming, based on the belief that communities have the desire, energy and resources to build community capacity. Each municipality or Metis Settlement, therefore, determines how the dollars they receive should be allocated to best meet local needs.
Who benefits from FCSS?
Programs funded by FCSS provide preventive services to all age groups and people from all walks of life, such as family counselling for persons in distress, care for isolated seniors, and support for children and youth.
Why focus on prevention?
Research shows that an investment of $1 in preventive services yields a $7 return in avoided costs such as police, justice, additional treatment and increased productivity in employment and contribution to society.
Who manages FCSS programs?
The Town of Pincher Creek FCSS manages the FCSS funding programs for the Town, the Municipal District of Pincher Creek #9, and the Village of Cowley. The Town also collaborates with agencies and the community to better understand the magnitude of social issues and how best to respond to them.
The FCSS Board of Directors, with representation from the Town of Pincher Creek, Municipal District of Pincher Creek, Cowley, and four members at large from the community, reviews funding requests from social agencies and selects projects for funding.
What types of programs and services will FCSS fund?
In addition to being consistent with the FCSS Act, programs and services must:
-
Be consistent with the funding priorities of the Town and Municipal District of Pincher Creek and the Village of Cowley
-
Be collaborative and not duplicate existing programs
-
Involve volunteers
-
Leverage additional funds to assist with program costs
-
State objectives in measurable terms
-
Demonstrate the capacity to achieve stated outcomes
-
Demonstrate good governance and administration
Additional Information
Needs Assessments
Provincial Websites
Contact Information
The Pincher Creek and District FCSS office is located at the Multi-Purpose Facility | 895 Main Street
FCSS Coordinator: Lindsey Johnson
|
Mailing Address:
|
|
Box 2841
Pincher Creek, Alberta
T0K 1W0
|
|
Phone:
|
|
(403) 627-4406
|
|
Email:
|
|
fcss@pinchercreek.ca
|
