Resources for Non-Profits

Cochrane and Area Interagency

Cochrane and Area Interagency

Cochrane Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) provides monthly Interagency meetings to encourage organizational collaboration and address community needs. Membership provides non-profit social service organizations with:

regular newsletters sharing what’s happening in the community
networking and relationship building opportunities
opportunities to participate in collaborative community responses to social issues
promotion of services, programs and events

Interagency meetings take place monthly. There are no meetings July, August, and December.

Information Sharing meetings

Information sharing meetings are an opportunity to hear about programs and services in a round-table sharing session. The meeting begins with two or three five-minute presentations from Interagency members. Presentations are followed by round-table information sharing.

In the interest of keeping the meeting on time, historical information and upcoming events can be included in the newsletter. Provide this information to nicole.copses@cochrane.ca.

Information sharing meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of January, March, May, September, and November. Meetings run from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Lunch is $10. We invite attendees to arrive early to enjoy a catered lunch, which will be served from 11:30 a.m. This time is designed to facilitate informal networking and allow participants to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and discuss relevant topics in a relaxed setting.

Meetings are hybrid (virtual and in-person).

A full day Interagency meeting is held on the fourth Wednesday of February to increase awareness of services, facilitate collaboration and strengthen relationships between non-profit social organizations.

Networking Lunches and Hot Topic meetings

April, June and October are reserved for networking lunches and hot topic meetings. Meetings are held 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch is provided for $10.

Networking lunches allow Interagency members to enjoy a catered lunch and connect with other social service organizations. These lunches are very well attended and are a great opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas and discuss potential partnerships.

Hot Topic meetings are held as necessary to address relevant topics. Hot topic meetings call organizations together to discuss a specific topic and devise collaborative solutions to address the social issue.

Networking Lunches and Hot Topic meetings are in person only.

Local reports and needs assessments

Cochrane Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) provides reports and needs assessments to help non-profits plan and deliver their programs.

Reports and assessments

Let’s Touch the Skies Project

Social Recovery Task Force (during COVID-19)

Meeting rooms

FCSS meeting rooms (Stable and Back 40) are available to non-profit organizations and community groups.

Priority for the use of the meeting rooms is given to FCSS and FCSS-partnered meetings, programs, or events. FCSS may pre-empt organizations and groups, but will provide advanced notice (two days when possible) if it needs emergency use of the meeting rooms.

All organizations using FCSS meeting rooms must sign a contract annually with FCSS and receive an orientation before use. Contact FCSS for more details.

Grant opportunities

Grants are available to help support non-profits in providing services and programs to the community.

Grant opportunities

National and provincial resources

There are many national and provincial resources available for non-profit social organizations. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health Safety can provide you with health and safety resources, and Volunteer Alberta has resources to help non-profits thrive. Other resources available include:

Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute (CTRI)

Alberta Non-Profit Network

Sector Advocacy Efforts

Alberta Grants, Funding and Supports for Non-Profits