Westlock Community Foundation awards $395K to local projects

The Westlock Community Foundation awarded $395,000 to 15 organizations, municipalities and community groups during its 2026 grant cycle, bringing its total local investment to more than $1.1 million since 2023.

The Westlock Community Foundation (WCF) awarded $395,000 to community projects for the 2026 grant season. The grants bring the WCF's total contributions to local projects and organizations to more than $1.1 million since 2023. “The road to one million dollars in granting was built one gift, one grant and one partnership at a time,” said Fervone Goings, the executive director of the WCF.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we are equally excited about what lies ahead. Together, we are turning local generosity into lasting impact.” The funding represents one of the foundation's largest investments in the community to date, handed out through established granting programs and the new Free to Play initiative.

Fifteen organizations, clubs and societies received the funding for projects that aim to strengthen the community, support learning and well-being and create opportunities for children and families across the county. This year, five organizations received a total of $76,700 from the community priorities grant. Healthy Families, Healthy Futures received $24,700 for a youth mental health and resilience program, and the Westlock Community Art Club received $25,000 to preserve history and support future relocation plans.

The Westlock and District Food Bank presented the “Feeding Our Community” project, getting $15,000, and the Westlock Figure Skating Club was granted $6,000 to redesign the website and renew the registration site. The Village of Clyde were among the recipients for funding from the WCF. The Village of Clyde received $6,000 for the Westlock Healthcare Attraction and Retention Program, which they applied for on behalf of the Town of Westlock, Westlock County, and the Westlock Healthcare Centre partnership.

The funds will go towards connecting university students with healthcare opportunities in the county. The capital stream grant recipients were the Jarvie Community Council, with $21,000 to repair the sewer system, and the Cultural Arts Theatre Society (CATS), for a $22,000 full colour spotlight system. The Busby Parent Council received $22,000 to upgrade the cement around the outdoor skating rink for all-season use, and Evolution FreeStyle Society will be using the $25,000 grant for outdoor kitchen and bathrooms for a dryland training center.

A $12,000 grant to the Town of Westlock will go towards upgrading the children's play area at the Westlock Spirit Center. The Westlock Learning and Literacy grant gifted $3,000 to the Pembina North Community School Library Committee to assess needs and purchase books for the library. Ten thousand dollars towards the training for staff and caregivers was gifted to the Westlock Independence Network.

Part of the Rural Resiliency grant was awarded to Westlock WECAN, which received $5,200 to expand transportation services to the Village of Clyde. R.F. Staples Agriculture Program received $5,000 for field trips to increase awareness of local agricultural careers, and the Gateway Research Organization received $3,100 for a spring/winter interseeding wheat project. “These organizations represent the creativity, dedication and volunteer spirit that continue to make the Westlock region a vibrant place to live, work and play,” said Goings.

“Their projects will enhance community spaces, support youth and families, strengthen agriculture and education, improve accessibility and create opportunities for connection and belonging.” The WCF has launched the Free to Play initiative, a two-year funding program that was designed to increase access to outdoor recreation and play opportunities. This year, $180,000 will go towards three different organizations.

The Town of Westlock received $90,500 for the South Trail Forest Project; the Alberta Trappers Association’s Supporting Schools and Community with Outdoor Play Initiative received $39,500, and Pembina Hills School Division’s Loose Parts, Big Ideas: A Blueprint for Unstructured Outdoor Play got $50,000. The next grant cycle will open Feb. 1, 2027.