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Foundation Grants

The Community Foundation offers one open call for funding annually. Funding opportunities play a crucial role in empowering members of the Westlock community to realize their aspirations. The Westlock Community Foundation (WCF) is dedicated to providing a diverse range of grants to support charitable organizations and community groups.

By offering these resources, we aim to enhance the fabric of our community. Explore the comprehensive list of funding opportunities available through WCF below.

Download Our Granting Roadmap

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Qualified Donee (QD) mean?

What is the difference between a non-proft organization and a registered charity?

Essentially, If you are operating as a charity and want to issue official donation receipts and not have to pay income tax, you have to apply to be a registered charity. If you are not registered, you do not qualify for these advantages.

Here is a helpful chart to help you tell the difference.

If you are unsure whether your organization is registered or not - you will need to contact the CRA directly.

Can you apply for more than one grant?

Can I apply for grants without using the portal?

When will funding be released?

Who Is on the Granting Committee

The granting committee is made up of local community volunteers that have applied for the committee and gone through a interview process. All volunteers are required to participate in ongoing equity, reconciliation, and bias training. They are also required to complete a confidentiality agreement and follow all of the policies of the Board.

If you are interested in learning more about the committee, please send an email to our WCF office to arrange a meeting with the Granting Committee Chair.

Apply for Grants

Grants

Below you will find information for each of the grants available through the Westlock Community Foundation. Please READ CAREFULLY, as criteria, eligibility, and the application process has changed for 2025.

Community Priorities Grant

About This Granting Program

The Community Priorities Grants Program is the Westlock Community Foundation's largest granting program.

Each year, this fund awards grants to qualified donees in Westlock, Westlock County, and the Village of Clyde. Funding for this program comes from donors across the region that made gifts to the Community Foundation. These donors trust that the Community Priorities Grants Committee and Board of Directors will allocate funding to worthy causes throughout the region.

The Foundation seeks to support projects and initiatives that fall within one or more of the following categories:

Affordability - Factors that affect conditions of subsistence in our communities, taking into account the availability, affordability, and appropriateness of resources that help all of us meet our basic needs.
Economic Vibrancy - Creates equitable opportunities for more people to work, earn good wages and thrive
Safety - Community safety & well-being is the ideal state of a sustainable community where everyone is safe, has a sense of belonging, opportunities to participate, and where individuals are able to meet their needs for education, health care, food, housing, income, and social and cultural expression
Connection & Belonging - Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard and valued. When they can give and receive without judgment. Belonging is the innate human desire to be part of something larger than us.
Active Living - A way of life in which physical, social, mental, emotional and spiritual activities are valued and are integrated into daily living
Environment - Factors contributing to the sum total of all the living and non-living elements and their effects which influence human life

The Community Priorities Fund Programs & Projects Stream will consider requests between $5,000 and $25,000.

What You Need To Know to Apply

Applications for this granting stream are closed for 2025. Please check back in early 2026 for information on our granting information session and on how to apply.

Support This Granting Program

As a donor, you can establish an endowment within the Community Priorities Fund. Investment income generated by your endowment will support the once-yearly grants issued by the program. You can also make a donation online.

Next Grant Deadline

January 22, 2026 - Granting Information Session (details to come)
February 6, 2026 - Granting Applications Open
April 3, 2026 - Granting Applications Close
Notifications and payments will be made in June 2026
May 31, 2027 - Final Reports Due

How To Apply

Use our online application system to submit a Proposal to the Community Priorities Granting Program. Community Foundation staff may contact you to discuss your project.

Apply Here

NEW! Community Priorities Grant - Capital Stream

About This Granting Program

The Community Priorities Grant - Capital Stream is one of WCF's new streams for 2025. This grant is funded by the community priorities fund. It is intended for CAPITAL REQUESTS ONLY. If you are not applying for a capital grant this year, please choose one of the other granting streams that applies better to your project.

The Community Priorities Grant, Capital Stream will cover capital requests only. If you are applying for a project or program, please see the non-capital grant stream.The Community Priorities Fund, Capital Requests Stream will consider requests between $5,000 and $25,000.

What You Need To Know to Apply

Please check back in early 2026 for more information.

Support This Granting Program

Next Grant Deadline

How To Apply

Use our online application system to submit a Proposal to the Community Priorities Granting Program. Community Foundation staff may then contact you to discuss your project.

Apply Here

Rural Resiliency Fund

About the Rural Resiliency Fund

About This Granting Program

The Westlock Community Foundation established this fund in honour of Florence and Albert Miller. The Millers donated the initial gift that started the Foundation, and were deeply rooted in the lifestyle of rural Alberta. The objective of the Rural Resiliency Grant is to enhance and sustain a quality of life in the rural communities Westlock. Examples of organizations that may apply for this grant include: 4H, Community Halls, Agricultural Societies. This fund is not limited to these groups, if you have a project that you believe fits the criteria outlined below, you are invited to apply.

What You Need To Know to Apply

Please check back in early 2026 for more details.

Support This Granting Program

As a donor, you can establish an endowment within the Rural Resiliency Fund. Investment income generated by your endowment will support the once-yearly grants issued by the program. You can also make a donation online.

Next Grant Deadline

How To Apply

Use our online application system to submit a Proposal to the Rural Resiliency Granting Program. Community Foundation staff may then contact you to discuss your project.

Apply Here

Literacy and Learning Fund

About This Granting Program

The Literacy & Learning Fund was established by the Westlock Literacy and Learning Centre to support the ongoing development of the community, and marks a major step forward in supporting educational opportunities and enhancing literacy-related programs and services in Westlock and the surrounding communities.

The Westlock Learning and Literacy Centre’s exceptional generosity will provide a lasting impact on the region's literacy and adult learning landscape. The Literacy and Learning Fund will distribute annual grants totalling up to $10,000 to organizations dedicated to promoting literacy, fostering a love for learning, and advancing educational initiatives.

What You Need To Know to Apply

Please check back in early 2026 for more details.

Support This Granting Program

As a donor, you can establish an endowment within the Literacy and Learning Fund. Investment income generated by your endowment will support the once-yearly grants issued by the program. You can also make a donation online.

Next Grant Deadline

How To Apply

Use our online application system to submit a Proposal to the Rural Resiliency Granting Program. Community Foundation staff may then contact you to discuss your project.

Apply Here

Youth In Action Grant

About This Granting Program

Every year, the Community Foundation dedicates grant funding to dynamic projects initiated by Westlock and the region's youth. Projects need to be developed, led, and organized by individuals or groups in Westlock, Westlock County, or the Village of Clyde. Applicants must be between the ages of 11 and 25 years of age. The purpose of the Youth in Action Grants is to empower youth by encouraging leadership on a project that will have a positive impact on their community. Through this experience, youth will have a greater appreciation of philanthropy by understanding the difference they can make in their community by giving back. Grants range between $500 - $5,000.

What You Need To Know to Apply

As the Westlock Community Foundation cannot give directly to individuals, applicants must collaborate with a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)-registered charity, school, or municipality to carry out their project. This grant program supports youth leadership and priority will be given to applications that demonstrate youth leadership and/or involvement. This grant program is not intended to support charities or agencies that provide programming or services for youth. Instead, it is intended to support young residents who create their own projects or initiatives.

Youth leadership is one or more of the following: mentoring, confidence, growth or personal development, skills development, compassion, impact or paying it forward, role models, teamwork, taking initiative, making connections, and community involvement.

Projects will not be considered if they:

involve direct religious activity;
involve partisan political activity;
benefit an individual (such as a scholarship, bursaries, gift cards or vouchers);
have already occurred; or
involve funds requested being redirected to activities beyond the Westlock area (e.g. disaster relief in another country).

Applications are reviewed by a committee of young Westlock and area residents (aged 11 to 25) that make recommendations for funding. It is anticipated that the number of applications will be greater than the funds that are available to disburse. Not all applications will be approved.

If you have questions about applying - please email info@westlockfoundation.ca and we will respond to you as soon as we can.

Support This Granting Program

As a donor, you can establish an endowment within the Youth in Action Fund. Investment income generated by your endowment will support the once-yearly grants issued by the program. You can also make a donation online.

Next Grant Deadline

Applications Open: September 26, 2025

Deadline for Applications: November 28, 2025 (extended deadline)

Deadline for Final Report (project completion): September 15, 2026

How To Apply

Use our online application system to apply for a Youth in Action grant. Community Foundation staff may then contact you to discuss your project.

Apply Here

JOIN THE YOUTH IN ACTION COMMITTEE!!

Applications for the committee will open early 2026.

New! Community Catalysts Grant

About This Granting Program

The Community Catalysts Grant empowers local community groups and organizations by supporting initiatives that foster connection, inclusivity, and community spirit. This grant is ideal for small-scale projects, events, and activities that enrich community life and bring people together.

The Community Catalysts Grant was created in response to WCF's Vital Signs research and engagement process. You can learn more about this at Vital Signs Hub

The Community Catalysts Grant will consider requests up to $500.

What You Need To Know to Apply

Prior to filling out your application, please read through your WCF-2025-CC-Guidelines to see if your project is eligible for funding.

We highly recommend you attend the information session on January 23, 2025 to learn more about this funding opportunity.

Support This Granting Program

Next Grant Deadline

Applications are accepted twice annually:

Winter Intake (opens Feb 4, 2025)
Summer Intake (opens June 30, 2025)

Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, provided applicants meet the program’s eligibility criteria. Unspent funds in winter intake are carried over to summer intake.

How To Apply

Use our online application system to submit a Proposal to the Community Priorities Granting Program. Community Foundation staff may contact you to discuss your project.

Apply Here

2025 Grant Recipients

Investing Over $200,000 in Local Projects That Strengthen Our Region

Each year, the Westlock Community Foundation is proud to support community-led projects that create belonging, opportunity, and wellbeing across our region. In 2025, we awarded more than $200,000 in grants to 12 outstanding initiatives—projects that reflect the passion, innovation, and care of the people who call this place home.

These projects range from revitalizing rural infrastructure and promoting food security to preserving local heritage and enhancing recreational facilities. We’re proud to partner with the changemakers behind each of them.

Project	Grantee	Amount
Outdoor Classroom	Pembina North Community School Fundraising Association	$15,000
Facility Upgrade	Fawcett Senior Centre	$25,000
Recreational Equipment	Town of Westlock	$18,259
Harvest Building Project	Westlock & District Tractor Museum Foundation	$25,000
Spring School Restoration Project	Friends of Vermilion Spring School Society	$15,700
Diving Blocks	Westlock Gators	$25,000
Maintenance Infrastructure Revitalization	Westlock Golf Club	$11,150
Distribution Support & Quality Control	Westlock WECAN	$3,000
Stop Hunger Project	Westlock & District Food Bank	$25,000
Conservation Outreach & Stewardship	Edmonton and Area Land Trust	$14,350
Building Empowered Lives With Hope	Hope Resource Centre Association	$15,000
Agriculture Program	R.F. Staples Secondary School	$8,000