With a Make Your Mark grant up to $1,000 from United Way, Central Alberta educators can turn classroom ideas into real community impact — through hands-on, student-led projects..
Bring real-world impact into your classroom with Make Your Mark—a hands-on program that empowers K–12 students to explore local issues and lead their own community or social justice projects. Each classroom project is eligible for up to $1,000 in grant funding.
Launched in Central Alberta in 2024 thanks to a successful pilot with United Way Capital Region, Make Your Mark connects learning to action. With support from teachers and United Way staff, students design and carry out meaningful projects that promote empathy, equity, and community-building—all while developing leadership, teamwork, and a sense of civic responsibility.
Students take the lead from planning to action, learning essential skills like collaboration, problem-solving, budgeting, and leadership.
Every project addresses a real community need, helping students understand local issues and how they can make a difference.
Projects align with Alberta’s curriculum and support learning outcomes in social studies, language arts, and health.
From empathy to self-confidence, students build lifelong values through meaningful, real-world experiences.
Grade 5 students helped combat isolation among seniors by delivering handmade kindness bags and performing Christmas carols for 50 residents at Victoria Park Seniors Home.
“When the seniors sang with us, it felt like we were all one big family.” – Foster, Student at St. Elizabeth Seton School
Eastview students addressed youth homelessness by organizing kits for 20–30 unhoused youth, filled with essentials like food, hygiene supplies, and activities supporting physical and mental well-being.
“Being able to do something like this at school is huge. Not many people can say they got a grant for a club they created.” – Eastview Middle School Student
Grade 7 students created 85 care and wellness kits for local youth and families experiencing hardship, offering comfort items, hygiene products, and personalized notes to support those in need.
“It’s not just about the process that is involved, but more so about why we’re doing it.” – Student at Clear Vista School
This program would not be possible without the ongoing support of corporate sponsors committed to making an impact in our community. Interested in supporting? Get in touch today!
If you’d like to learn more about the program, contact our Make Your Mark team.
Unit 100, 4828 53 Street
Red Deer, Alberta T4N 2E8
phone: 1-403-343-3900
email: info@caunitedway.ca
Charitable BN: 11927 8364 RR0001
