Recreation and Culture Grants

The Cemetery Improvement Grant funds improvements to cemeteries located within the County.

Value:

Maximum of $5,000

Eligible Projects:

Projects that improve the physical facilities are eligible. This may include fencing, landscaping, or maintenance of the graves. Projects aimed at volunteer training and retention are not eligible.

As per Policy N3-Gravel for Community Facilities volunteer cemetery groups are eligible to receive up to five loads of gravel every two years. The County will arrange to haul the gravel to the Cemetery and your volunteer group will be responsible to spread it. Please fill the Community Gravel Application Form to arrange gravel for your cemetery.  

Eligible Applicants:

Community groups within the County that maintain and manage a cemetery.

Applications Open:

Applications open February 1, 2025.

Deadline:

April 1, 2025, Funds distributed annually in late June/early July. 

For More Information:

Read the Cemetery Improvement Grant Policy

Contact Recreation and Culture at 780-532-9727

 Apply Now!

The Community Assistance grant provides funding and or donations of any items other than cash to support operating cost, fundraising endeavours, achievements and milestones associated with delivery of programs, services and events by organizations and groups that operate on a not-for-profit basis.

There are three funding streams in this program:

Multi-Year Operating Funding: The Community Assistance Grant funds operational costs for community groups that serve County residents, but do not qualify as Recreation or Culture providers. For larger organizations and facilities that contribute to quality of life and enhance liveability that fall outside halls, arenas and curling rinks. Please contact Parks and Recreation 780-532-9727 before completing an application for this funding stream

Community Wellness & Safety: For groups or organizations that undertake protective measures to respond and protect the community from harm or contribute to providing a safe and healthy community. Also includes groups or organizations that foster connections among people through socially inclusive services with a diverse offering of cultural and recreational opportunities, outside of Family Community Support Services mandate.

Event Sponsorship, Donations & Community Support: see next section for information.

Value:

Value not specified. Any request for funding over $10,000 will be required to have a delegation present to Council.

Eligible Projects:

Improvements to non-recreational and non-cultural physical facilities are eligible.

Projects or programs that deliver valuable services that are not recreational or cultural are eligible.

Eligible Applicants:

Non-profit organizations and community volunteer groups that promote safe, active and sustainable communities within the County of Grande Prairie.

Intake:

Application are open throughout the year, these applications are reviewed on a monthly basis by administration and then forwarded to the next available Council meeting.

Deadlines to apply are:

• New Multi-Year funding requests-Please contact Recreation & Culture (780-532-9727 ext. 2108) prior to starting application.
• Community Safety & Wellness must be made at least 45 days prior to program start or event date.
• Sponsorship requests must be made at least 45 days prior to your event
• Emergent Funding requests- Please contact Recreation & Culture (780-532-9727 ext. 2108) prior to starting application.

For More Information:

Read the Community Assistance Grant Policy

Contact Recreation and Culture at 780-532-9727 

Apply Now!

Event Sponsorship, Donations & Community Support: For groups or organizations that provide County residents with cultural and recreational opportunities or contribute to the quality of life and enhance the liveability of the community can apply for event sponsorship or other emergent support or funding needs. Events that fundraise to disperse funding to other organizations are not eligible for this grant.

Value:

Value not specified. Any request for funding over $10,000 will be required to have a delegation present to Council.

Eligible Projects:

For groups that are hosting events or projects that promote safe, active and sustainable communities within the County of Grande Prairie.

Eligible Applicants:

Local non-profits that serve County residents.

Intake: 

Applications are open throughout the year, these applications are reviewed on a month basis by administration and then forwarded to the next available Council meeting:

Deadline:

Sponsorship requests must be made at least 45 days prior to your event.

For More Information:

Read the Community Assistance Grant Policy.

Contact Recreation and Culture at 780 532 9727

Apply Now!

The Community Beautification Initiatives Grant funds projects that provide beautification through landscaping.

Value:

Maximum of $1,000.00

Eligible Projects:

Projects that improve the physical appearance of a community and enhance civic pride within the County through landscaping.

Eligible Applicants:

Community volunteer groups or existing community groups or not for profits may receive funding for beautification initiatives. 

Intake:

April/May annually

Deadline: June 1^st

Funds distributed annually in late June/early July.

For More Information:

Read the Community Beautification Initiatives Policy

Contact Recreation and Culture at 780-532-9727 

Apply Now!

The Operating Assistance Grant funds recreational and cultural programming for County residents.

Value:

Maximum of $5,000

Eligible Projects:

Improvements to physical facilities are eligible.

Projects or programs that deliver recreational or cultural services are eligible.

Indoor ice arenas, halls, swimming pools, and curling rinks located in the County automatically receive operating funds to aid in the costs of insurance and utilities. 

Eligible Applicants:

Local, non-profits or community volunteer groups that deliver recreation or culture services.

Intake:

Applications open February 1, 2025

Deadline:

April 1, 2025, Funds distributed annually in late June/early July.

For More Information:

Read the Operating Assistance Grant- Recreation Advisory Boards Policy

Contact Recreation and Culture at 780 532 9727

Apply Now!

Recreational and Cultural Facilities provide opportunities for people to enjoy sport, leisure, or community activities that promote healthy, active and satisfying lifestyles. The County is committed to ensuring that Recreational and Cultural Facilities are available to meet the needs of County residents and visitors. County Council offers financial assistance to organizations and neighbouring municipalities to construct, rehabilitate or expand facilities within the County and neighbouring municipalities.

Capital Grants are subdivided into two streams – Major Capital and Capital Assistance, each having its own criteria and funding models.

1. The Capital Assistance Grant funds improvements and repairs to the physical infrastructure of recreational or cultural facilities that serve County residents.

Value:

Applicants may apply for Capital Assistance up to 50% of the total project cost, to a maximum award of $50,000.00. These projects typically have a total cost of at least $10,000 to a maximum of $99,999 and require the group to provide matching funding for the project.

Eligible Projects:

Improvements or repairs to the physical facilities are eligible.

Expenses related to operations (staffing, insurance, utilities) are not eligible.

2. The Major Capital Grant funds construction or rehabilitation to the physical infrastructure of facilities that serve County residents.

Value:

This grant is for projects that are valued in excess of $100,000.

Eligible Projects:

New construction, rehabilitation, repairs or improvements to facilities that provide a recognizable benefit to County residents are eligible.

Projects requiring structural improvements to a facility my be required to provide a report submitted by an engineer that confirms the condition of the facility. Parks and Recreation will determine is this is required and provide direction for the applicant. The County will cover costs associated with obtaining this report.

Eligible Applicants:

Local, non-profits or community volunteer groups that own and/or operate facilities that provide recreational or cultural opportunities for County residents.

Applicants are required to apply and give an in-person presentation to the Grants Deliberation Committee.

Intake:

Opens August 1, 2025, for 2026 Capital Funding requests.

Deadline:

Last day to submit applications is September 15,2025.

Applicants present to the Grants Deliberation Committee in early November.

Funding is approved in early December and successful applicants are announced in early January.

Conditional Grant Agreements are mailed to successful applicants in January.

Funds distributed annually in late June/early July.

For More Information:

Read the K-10 Capital Grant Policy

Contact Recreation and Culture at 780 532 9727 

The County provides donated gravel to eligible organizations managing community facilities. Gravel is sourced from County-operated facilities and is is delivered by County forces depending on availability, weather conditions, and other operational priorities.

Recipients are responsible for all spreading and placement of the gravel. The County will only deliver and stockpile the gravel to a designated location specified by the recipient. 

Value:

The County will provide an amount of gravel approved by the General Manager Transportation & Utilities, or designate, to a maximum of sixty-five (65) tonnes every other year, per Community Facility within the County.

Eligible Organizations:

As per Policy N3-Gravel for Community Facilities "Community Facilities" are defined as "public or semi-public places where members of a community gather for recreational, educational, social, or cultural purposes, or locations co-operatively or municipally owned and used for joint economic benefit."

For More Information:

Please see Policy N3 – Gravel Donations for Community Facilities

Contact the Transportation & Utilities department at 780-532-7393

 Apply Now!