Opportunities to Support
YOU can help recognize, celebrate and inspire environmental excellence!
The Alberta Emerald Foundation works to recognize, celebrate and inspire environmental excellence in our province. As a registered charity, the AEF is very much volunteer driven, and counts on the support of individuals, groups and companies from across the province to help deliver our programs. Here are a few ways you can lend your support:
Donate
Cash donations of all sizes are happily accepted. While we are very appreciative of our corporate sponsors, we also count on the individuals and groups who lend financial support to our programs. We will gladly issue a charitable receipt for eligible donations.
In Kind Support
Could you provide a service or supplies to the AEF to support our programs? From printing to office space to promotional items that could be given to volunteers, the AEF welcomes in-kind support.
Volunteer
With just one full-time, permanent employee, the AEF is very much volunteer-driven. Consider lending your time and talent by joining one of our committees.
Organize a Special Event
Are you organizing a garage sale, a bake sale or a company golf tournament? Maybe you wish to incorporate a silent auction as part of a pre-existing event such as a holiday party? Consider partnering with the AEF in your special event and direct proceeds to our cause. We can provide some event support and advice as well as would gladly attend and congratulate the crowd. We love events!!
Support the AEF through your Company’s Philanthropic Campaigns
Whether it is through your annual United Way campaign, or if your company matches donations that employees make to charities, please consider choosing the AEF as your charity of choice.
Other Ideas?
Do you have an idea for a way to lend support to the Alberta Emerald Foundation? We’d love to hear about it!!
The Alberta Emerald Foundation has several specific programs that require support, including:
Emerald Awards
Annual Funding Goal: $400,000
The Alberta Emerald Foundation’s preeminent initiative is the Emerald Awards. The Foundation firmly believes that environmental excellence should be recognized and encouraged to the fullest. By celebrating and promoting environmental achievements, the Foundation raises awareness and encourages others to adopt and learn from these outstanding examples.
Through the Emerald Awards the Foundation recognizes Alberta-based businesses, individuals and organizations that make a significant contribution to preserving, protecting and enhancing the environment locally, provincially, nationally and internationally.
Held annually since 1992, the Emerald Awards are widely acknowledged as the leading environment event in Alberta.
Annual sponsorships begin at $7,500 (Contributing Supporter) and range up to $15,000 (Sustaining Patron). Or you may choose to become an Emerald Leader.
Join us by supporting the Alberta Emerald Awards – demonstrate your participation in Alberta’s environmental excellence by leading the way with a named sponsorship or gift.
Engaging Youth in the Environment
The Alberta Emerald Foundation (AEF) is committed to recognizing, celebrating and inspiring environmental excellence in our province. Our major annual program, The Emerald Awards, celebrate outstanding achievements by Albertans committed to protecting, preserving, enhancing and sustaining our environment. In short, the Emerald Awards recognize our province’s environmental heroes.
In 2008, the AEF conducted a series of interviews, surveys and stakeholder meetings that resulted in a report that outlined opportunities for engaging Alberta’s youth. The key message from the report was that Alberta needs more youth engagement in environmental action.
The AEF believes there is much to be done in engaging youth in the environment, supporting them in their environmental efforts and inspiring the next generation of environmental heroes. We are now taking steps to engage youth in our province through a variety of programs and projects:
Emerald Intern Program: Annual goal of $50,000
Youth Environmental Engagement Grant Program: Annual goal of $100,000
Targeted Communications Strategy: Annual goal of $100,000
Youth at the Emerald Awards: Annual goal of $25,000
Other Engaging Ideads: Annual goal TBD
Emerald Speakers Series
Goal: $25,000 per session/community
The Alberta Emerald Foundation strives to recognize, celebrate and inspire environmental excellence in our province. Our flagship program, the Emerald Awards, is highly regarded as a premiere recognition event in our province, with categories that recognize all levels of work ranging from youth to community groups to business.
With the Emerald Awards firmly established, the Alberta Emerald Foundation is working to share more stories from the Emerald Awards program and in turn, inspire action from more Albertans.
The Emerald Speakers Series will travel to several communities across the province, where we will facilitate the sharing of environmental success stories as well as the discussion of environmental opportunities. We will involve local Emerald Awards finalists and recipients, allowing them an opportunity to share their leading-edge work with members of their communities. We also hope to involve high-profile “eco-celebrities” to join in these community discussions.
This program originated as a component of our Youth Environmental Engagement Program, but we feel the target audiences can be entire communities, including young people. Everyone has a stake in our environment.
We know that positive reinforcement through recognition of quality environmental work as well as the sharing of these stories makes the difference in how future generations will experience Alberta. Through the Emerald Speakers Series, we hope to reach many Alberta communities (especially rural and remote communities) and engage more Albertans in environmental stewardship.