Grant Opportunities

Pick up trash for cash!

The Town of Whitecourt offers non-profit organizations funding for performing refuse pick up duties within the community incouding highway ditches, and boulevards.  The refuse pick up schedule typically runs from April to the end of October (weather permitting) and the opportunity s advertised annually.  To qualify for the program, groups must provide a written request to the Town outlining a time commitment between 50 and 100 hours, how the funds will be used, confirming dates that the group would be available to perform the work, and providing an address and phone number for the group contact person.

Qualifications for the program have been made more flexible for those wishing to lend their time to assist with clean up activities.

• Groups can submit a proposal to complete between 50 and 100 hours of service; the time commitment must be confirmed prior to approval.

• Approved groups will receive $12.00 for each hour of service, and total allocations for the program will be based on the annual budget.

• All clean up participants must be at least 9 years of age.

Watch for information on the 2021 program in the new year.

• Community Clean Up Guide

• Community Clean Up Claim Form

The Community Crosswalk Grant program provides funding to local schools to establish or enhance a Crosswalk Program.  Safety is a priority for the Town of Whitecourt, and this program will enhance our children's safety at community crosswalks.

• Policy 23-007 Community Crosswalk Grant Program
• Community Crosswalk Grant Program Application Form
• Community Crosswalk Grant Program Final Reporting Form

Applications to the program are due June 30 annually for the following school year.

The Whitecourt Enhancement Grant was established to offer recreation, art and culture organizations and groups additional assistance for the enhancement of programs, services, special events, specialized equipment or facilities that are not normally funded through their annual budget.  

The objectives of the grant are:

• To provide funding to local recreation, arts & culture organizations for the enhancement of programs, services, special events, specialized equipment or facilities that are not normally funded through their annual budget.

• To enhance recreation opportunities and the well-being of the residents of Whitecourt and Woodlands County.

• To enhance sport, recreation, arts and cultural development.

• To promote and encourage volunteerism and community spirit by enhancing the work of local volunteer organizations.

• To provide a funding source for recreation, art and culture programs, services, events, facilities or equipment that is not eligible for funding from other municipal, provincial or federal sources.

Application to the 2020 Enhancement Grant Program is closed.  Watch for advertisements on the 2021 program in spring of 2021.

• Policy 72-026 Enhancement Grant Program

• Application Form

• Grading System

The Town of Whitecourt FCSS Grant Program provides assistance to community organizations that plan to provide social programs that are preventive in nature to the community. For more information please contact the Community Services Department at 780-778-6300.

Applications for the 2021 program year are now being accepted.  

To qualify for the grant, a representative from the group/organization must attend the FCSS Grant Workshop scheduled for 7:00-8:30pm at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre on November 4, 2020.

Applications can be submitted to the following address by 12:00 noon on Monday, November 30, 2020:

Town of Whitecourt - Community Services Department
Attn: FCSS Program Coordinator
Allan & Jean Millar Centre
Box 509, 58 Sunset Boulevard
Whitecourt  AB  T7S 1N6

To be eligible for consideration, projects must meet one or more of the following FCSS mandates:

• Help people become self-reliant, build resiliency, and become able to function in a positive manner.
• Promote and help people develop positive social relationships.
• Help people become socially engaged and contribute to their community.
• Support people to remain active participants in their community.
• Empower people to address social issues and influence change.

• Policy 72-025 - Family & Community Support Services Grant Program
• Application Form - Fillable Form (It is recommended that you save the file prior to entering data into the application form.)
• Grading System

Investing In Our Community is a new capital funding program developed by the Town of Whitecourt to enhance partnerships with local non-profit organizations. The proposed program will provide interest free loans to non-profit organizations to assist in leveraging their resources for community capital investments that benefit the community.  Applications to this program are accepted year-round.

• Investing In Our Community Policy
• Application Form

Are you having difficulty filling out seniors benefit forms?The Family Community Support Services Department assists seniors to complete senior benefit applications. Please call 780-778-6300 to make an appointment.

The Sports Hosting Program supports local organizations to host sporting events that have a positive economic impact on our community.  Events hosted by the sporting community increase visitors into Whitecourt, which has a positive impact by generating overnight stays and stimulating the local economy.  

Applications for funding will be accepted during at various times throughout the year.  Please watch our page for details on the next funding announcement.

All applications must be submitted to the Town of Whitecourt Administration Office (5004 - 52 Avenue).  For further information, contact Rhonda Hough, Economic Development Officer at 780-778-2273 or by email at rhondahough@whitecourt.ca

• Policy 72-026 - Sports Hosting Program

• Application Form

• Application Rating Sheet

• Final Reporting Document

The Tourism Enhancement Grant Program offers financial assistance to local community groups for projects or events that enhance tourism development in the Whitecourt area. 

Applications will be accepted for the 2021 funding year in early 2021.  Please watch our website, Facebook page, and local media outlets for details.  

• Policy 12-020: Tourism Enhancement Grant Program
• Tourism Enhancement Grant Program Application Form
• Tourism Enhancement Grant Program Rating Sheet
• Tourism Enhancement Grant Program Final Reporting

The Vitalization Grant Program was established to offer local businesses and organizations additional financial support to enhance the exterior appearance of their business or property. Applicants could receive up to $10,000 to enhance the exterior appearance of their business/property to match the newly adopted architectural wood/stone theme.  The wood/stone theme was adopted in the Whitecourt Vitalization Plan which acts as a guide for our community over the next several years to revitalize downtown and beautify the Highway 43 corridor.  The program's objectives are to:

• Assist businesses or organizations to make permanent upgrades to their buildings that meet the architectural wood/stone theme of the Town of Whitecourt Vitalization Plan.

• Enhance the quality of life and well-being of the residents of Whitecourt by increasing the aesthetic appeal of the Highway 43 corridor and downtown core.

• To enhance the pride and profile of the Town of Whitecourt for both residents and visitors alike.

Information on the 2021 grant program will be distributed in the spring of 2021.  Please watch our website for updates.

• Vitalization Grant Program - Information Brochure

• Policy 61-001 - Vitalization Grant Program

• Vitalization Grant Program Application Form

• Vitalization Grant Program Allocation Usage Summary Form

Whitecourt developed a business incubator program to enhance and encourage partnership with local entrepreneurs who are in the final stages of business development and prepared to move to a store front location.

The Whitecourt Downtown Business Incubator Program offers business training services and subsidized leasing costs for new and unique businesses that enhance downtown development, create jobs, and stimulate foot traffic in Whitecourt’s downtown core.

Congratulations to Studio 83 and Amazing Gifts for successfully receiving funding under this program.

• Policy 61-012 - Whitecourt Downtown Business Incubator Program
• Downtown Business Incubator Program - Application Form
• Downtown Business Incubator Program - Program Area Map