The Foundation joined the University of Calgary’s School of Architecture, Landscape and Planning, and the City of Calgary to announce a $350,000 investment by the City to the Civic Commons Catalyst initiative.

The investment will support the researchers as they focus on innovative solutions for economic recovery, downtown reinvention, and impactful investment to transform underutilized public and private spaces in our city’s downtown.

We were thrilled to take part in the event, showcasing the vibrant City of a Thousand Planets Exhibition, featuring the Calgary-centered design research from Phase I and Phase II of the initiative, funded by two grants from the Foundation, totaling $460,000.

Explore the Civic Commons Catalyst: Strategic Interventions Briefing Report

In our 2021 30th Anniversary Stakeholder Engagement sessions, we heard that the Foundation can play a more visible role. We heard that there is value in sharing our unique model to increase access to funding by all stakeholders.

The Civic Commons Catalyst initiative exemplifies our commitment to nimble funding, even taking on the occasional sole-funder role. We thank our team of staff and Governors for recognizing the role and privilege the Foundation has in taking calculated risks to play a key role at a pivotal time in our history – of reimagining downtown assets. The Foundation’s support has propelled the initiative to its next transformational steps. We are proud to see our funding leveraged into new funding and partnerships.

Here at the Foundation, we are excited about the impact we are contributing to for the betterment of the real estate industry, our province, and for Albertans.

Read the news releases from the City of Calgary and Livewire Calgary.