Westlock Community Foundation Announces 2024 Grant Recipients

26 June 2024 | , ,
Funding Update

Celebrating Community Growth: Announcing the Westlock Community Foundation's 2024 Grant Recipients

Hello Westlock Community!

We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you! The Westlock Community Foundation (WCF) has completed its 2024 granting cycle, and we are proud to announce the recipients of this year's grants. Through the generosity of our donors and the hard work of our volunteers, we have awarded a total of $294,700 to support a variety of projects and initiatives that will make a significant impact in our community.

Our grants are designed to address key areas of need, including community priorities, learning and literacy, rural resiliency, and youth engagement. Let's take a moment to celebrate the incredible organizations and projects that will benefit from this year's funding.

Community Priorities Grant Recipients

  1. Westlock & District Food Bank: $25,000 for the "Feeding Our Community" project.
  2. Cultural Arts Theatre Society: $18,500 for the Digital Video Project.
  3. Busby Volunteer Fire Department Society: $15,000 for the Medical First Response Program.
  4. Westlock & District Community Hall Society: $40,000 for boiler replacement.
  5. Westlock & District Agricultural Society: $40,000 for barn roof replacement.
  6. Westlock Legion - Branch 97: $39,100 for building maintenance.
  7. Progressive & Coordinating Organization Agricultural Society: $24,000 for the Fawcett Community Hall and Arena renovation.
  8. Tawatinaw Valley Ski Hill: $40,000 for ski inventory and storage upgrades.
  9. Westlock Golden Age Club: $5,000 for weatherproofing upgrades.
  10. Westlock Independence Network: $10,000 for growing leadership.


Westlock Learning & Literacy Grant Recipient:

  1. Westlock Inter-Municipal Library: $10,000 for providing mobile library services to underserved communities in the Westlock region.


Rural Resiliency Grant Recipients:

  1. Westlock WECAN: $5,100 for distribution support and quality control.
  2. RF Staples Agriculture Program: $5,000, Agricultural curriculum development
  3. Westlock Community Garden: $5,500 for growth initiatives.
  4. Gateway Research Organization: $6,000 for new intercrop research.

Youth in Action Grant Recipients:

  1. Eva Larson, Pembina Hills School District: $1,500 for the Heroes Project.
  2. Paige Tymkow, Westlock Rotary: $5,000 for the Dog Park Shelter 2024 project.

“We are incredibly proud to support these impactful projects that address critical needs and enhance the quality of life in our community. The dedication and innovation shown by these organizations are truly inspiring,” says Katie Robertson, WCF Executive Director.

Our 2024 Process: 

The engagement process started in 2023, with a survey and one-on-one conversations with local charities and community groups to gather suggestions and create a participatory framework for our granting program.

In January 2024, we then held and information session, open to anyone interested in learning more about the available grants and eligibility to apply.

Throughout February and March, grant applications we accepted and anyone who requested support for with their application was provided with that through WCF's Executive Director.

Once the application window closed, the granting committee/youth committee then reviewed and evaluated the applications individually, based on a set criteria that was outlined in the application process. After the applications were all scored, the committee then presented their scores and discussed their findings.

Applicants were notified as soon as the recommendations to the board were ratified, and payments started being made at the end of May. All payments were completed as of mid June.

Debbie McCoy, Chair of the Granting Committee, noted the careful consideration given to each application: “Our committee carefully reviewed each application to ensure that the funds are allocated to initiatives that will make a significant and lasting impact. We are excited to see the positive outcomes these grants will foster.”

Looking Ahead

Wayne Peyre, Chair of the Board, emphasized our commitment to community development: “The WCF is committed to building a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient community. These grants are a testament to the collaborative efforts of our donors, volunteers, and community partners who share our vision for a better Westlock.”

We are immensely grateful to everyone who contributed to this granting cycle. Your support helps us build a stronger, more vibrant Westlock. Stay tuned for updates on these projects and their progress throughout the year. We will be publishing a progress report mid winter, with a deeper dive into the impact these projects and grants make in our community.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Together, we are making Westlock a better place for everyone!