On December 8, 2025, the CREB® REALTOR® Community Foundation awarded Transformation Grants totalling $101,020 to seven non-profits that provide housing and shelter in Calgary.
The year in total
- Community and Transformation Grants in 2025 reached $298,695 for 11 organizations, $139,000 more than in 2024.
- In June, the foundation also gave a three-year $1 million Legacy Grant to the Calgary Dream Centre for Erlton House.
- Since 1987, the foundation has contributed more than $8.4 million.
Who received grants
- The Brenda Strafford Foundation: programming space improvements.
- Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre Society: a handrail extension at Bridgeland Manor, affordable housing for formerly homeless seniors.
- Central United Church – Central Outreach Hub: lighting, lockers, intake areas and accessible bathrooms for over 1,000 people a week.
- FearIsNotLove: the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter.
- Highbanks Society: new appliances in apartments for young mothers.
- L’Arche Association of Calgary: support as it prepares to rebuild its homes for people with intellectual disabilities.
- Wood’s Homes: support for children, youth and families.
Transformation Grants help upgrade existing spaces, while Community Grants fund major projects that keep people housed.
How the year adds up
In September, the foundation awarded $197,675 in Community Grants to four organizations for major repairs and renovations. With December’s $101,020 in Transformation Grants to seven more, its 2025 Community and Transformation Grants total $298,695 for 11 organizations, $139,000 more than in 2024. On top of that, the foundation committed a three-year $1 million Legacy Grant in June to the Calgary Dream Centre’s Erlton House.
CREB® foundation grants in 2025 (excluding the Legacy Grant)
What the grants will do
Julia Gilbertson of the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre Society said the handrail extension at Bridgeland Manor will eliminate a significant fall hazard at the front entrance, helping formerly homeless seniors “maintain their autonomy and age in place securely.” Brad Pert of the Central Outreach Hub said improvements such as better lighting, lockers, semi-private intake areas and accessible bathrooms and showers are based directly on what guests said they need. Lisa Zoppa of FearIsNotLove said the grant will create a secure outdoor space at the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter for relaxation, healing and play. Cara Bradley of The Brenda Strafford Foundation’s Heart Home Network said the support will improve programming space where people share meals.
Three kinds of grants
The foundation explains the difference: Transformation Grants help transform existing spaces and respond to community infrastructure needs, Community Grants fund major projects that keep vulnerable Calgarians housed, and the Legacy Grant helps non-profits create significant new housing.
What it means for Calgary
Christian Twomey said these organizations are critical “to building the resilient communities that we all benefit from.” Small upgrades can keep existing affordable homes and shelters safe and usable while new supply takes years to build.
What it means for buyers and sellers
Every CREB REALTOR® contributes to the foundation, so part of the local real estate industry’s income goes back into housing for people the market does not serve.
Local angle
The recipients work across Calgary, from Bridgeland to downtown, with programs for seniors, young mothers, families fleeing violence and people with intellectual disabilities.
More of the recipients
Highbanks Independent Living for Parenting Youth Society will use its grant for new appliances in apartments for young mothers. L’Arche Association of Calgary will receive support as it prepares to rebuild its homes for people with intellectual disabilities, and Wood’s Homes will receive support for its work with children, youth and families. Twomey said each CREB REALTOR® contributes to the foundation “because we understand that all Calgarians deserve a place to call home.” Since 1987, the foundation has contributed more than $8.4 million to non-profits in the Calgary area.
