County Council Approves More than $3 Million in Grants for Local Organizations

County Council Approves More than $3 Million in Grants for Local Organizations 

Community groups will benefit from County Council’s pledge to provide more than $3 million grant funding to sport, recreation and cultural organizations, and facilities in 2026.

Approximately $1,940,377 of the total will be allocated to Community Assistance Grants, with $1,092,416 awarded to Capital Community Projects.

Grant funding helps support and offset operational costs for organizations located in the County and the communities of Beaverlodge, Grande Prairie, Sexsmith, and Wembley.

Our communities thrive because of the dedication and hard work of local volunteers and non-profit groups,” says Reeve Amanda McDonald. “This funding is one of the many ways the County supports organizations that help contribute to our region’s high quality of life.

The County’s Community Assistance Grant Program provides operational funding to non-profit and volunteer groups promoting active, safe, and sustainable communities, and that own or operate facilities that provide recreational, sports and cultural opportunities. The Capital Grants program offers financial support to non-profit organizations that own or operate facilities that provide recreational, sports and cultural opportunities and are making improvements to their facilities or building new facilities.

Grants allocated in the 2026 interim budget include:

Capital Community Project Grants:

• $500,000 to the La Glace & District Agricultural Society for the La Glace Regional Recreation Centre Dry Fit-Out – the third installment of a three-year $1.5 million commitment (2024-2026)
• $150,000 to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation for construction of Ken Sargent House
• $125,000 to the Teepee Creek Stampede Association for the accessibility and sustainability project
• $116,000 to Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park for replacement equipment – the final installment of a four-year commitment (2023-2026)
• $65,000 to the South Peace Centennial Museum Association for museum electrical and wastewater upgrades
• $41,337.65 matching gift to the Spring Lake Ski Hill Association for roof repairs
• $25,000 to the Wapiti Nordic Ski Club for a replacement utility tractor
• $20,000 to the Saskatoon Lake Agricultural Society for flooring upgrades
• $15,000 to the Bezanson Agricultural Society for an accessibility ramp
• $15,000 to the Beaverlodge Senior Citizen Association for facility upgrades
• $10,000 to the Sexsmith & District Museum Society for a roofing system
• $6,500 to the Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society (PARDS) for pasture fencing
• $3,578.50 to Ducks Unlimited Canada to increase program storage capacity for the Boreal Wetland Centre

Community Assistance Grants:

• $508,900 to the Grande Prairie Agriculture & Exhibition Society for operations – the first installment of a three-year $1,580,700 commitment (2026-2028)
• $410,000 to the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum operating grant – the first installment of a four-year term commitment (2026-2029)
• $340,477 to the Grande Prairie Library Board as a part of the County’s Inter-Collaboration Framework (ICF) agreement with the City of Grande Prairie
• $200,000 to STARS for operating funding – the second installment of a three-year $600,000 commitment (2025-2027)
• $86,000 to the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie as a part of the County’s ICF agreement with the City of Grande Prairie
• $82,300 to the South Peace Regional Archive – the final installment of a three-year $247,000 commitment (2024-2026)
• $76,500 to Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park for operational costs as a part of the joint agreement with the City of Grande Prairie and M.D. of Greenview – the second installment of a three-year $154,530 commitment (2025-2027)
• $60,000 to the Grande Prairie Regional Sport Connection – the first installment of a two-year $120,000 commitment (2026-2027)
• $50,000 for cemetery grants
• $30,000 to Grande Prairie Technical Search and Rescue Association – the second installment of a three-year term $90,000 (2025-2027)
• $20,000 to Kleskun Hill Museum Society – the second installment of a three-year $60,000 commitment (2025-2027)
• $20,000 to the Compassion House Foundation – the second installment of a five-year $100,000 commitment (2025-2029)
• $15,000 to the Recreation Fee Assistance Program
• $10,000 to the Combative Sports Commission Agreement Bylaw
• $7,500 to the Community Foundation for the County Fire Fighters
• $7,000 to agricultural fairs in the County region (Valhalla, Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, Clairmont, Hythe, Bezanson & Wembley)
• $5,000 to the County Seasonal Neighbourhood Ice Surface Program grant
• $5,000 for Community Beautification Initiatives Grants (Communities in Bloom)
• $3,300 to the Peace Draft Horse Club for operational support of the Northern Spirit Light Show
• $1,500 to the Northwestern Polytechnic Awards – the seventh installment of a 10-year $15,000 commitment (2019-2029)
• $1,400 to the Hythe & District Agricultural Society for equipment costs to install Remembrance Day/Christmas decorations (2024-2026)
• $500 to the M.D. of Greenview Annual Charity Clay Shoot (2024-2026)

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County of Grande Prairie
communications@countygp.ab.ca.