Wood Buffalo Community Foundation (WBCF) is proud to announce an investment of $250,000 in nine local social profits through its 2025 granting cycle, which focused on Enhancing Mental Health and Community Resilience in Wood Buffalo These funds will support initiatives that build capacity and foster physical, mental, and emotional well-being across the region.
“Enhancing the region’s capacity and quality of life is at the heart of our mission,” says Nicole Bourque-Bouchier, Board Chair, WBCF. “This funding helps local organizations deepen their impact and respond to critical needs in our communities. Together, we are creating stronger connections and opportunities for everyone.”
This year’s grants include WBCF Community Grants and the Shell Albian Sands Environmental Grant. WBCF received a record number of applications for the 2025 Community Grant cycle, demonstrating the need for social profits in the region.
Grant funding will directly strengthen programs and initiatives related to resilience, youth sport, food programming, seniors support, social respite, and rural programming. More than 20 different funds within WBCF supported the granting this year, demonstrating the collective power of an endowment fund.
“At Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) of Wood Buffalo, we believe that mental health is a journey best travelled together, supported by people who care,” says Susan Goll, Executive Director, CMHA Wood Buffalo. “Across our region, whether in town or in our rural communities, we meet with individuals carrying heavy stories of grief, stress, burnout, or self-doubt, but who often leave feeling just a little lighter because someone listened, someone cared. This funding will help us continue creating those safe, human moments of connection and understanding where a simple conversation can spark hope and help change the direction of someone’s life.”
A registered Canadian charity, WBCF builds long-term endowment funds to provide stable charitable funding today and for generations to come. Driven by a $6 million endowment, WBCF has granted nearly $3 million to social profits since 2017, investing in capacity, resilience and a sustainable region for all.
2025 WBCF Community Grant Initiatives
Social Respite Program - Autism Society of RMWB
Recovery College, Creating Resiliency - CMHA of Wood Buffalo
Recreation Program Supports - Golden Years Society
Athlete Funding - KidsSport Wood Buffalo
Soup Kitchen - NorthLife Fellowship Baptist Church
Starlight Handhelds - Starlight Children’s Foundation
Hub on Wheels Rural Programming - The Hub Family Resource Centre
Family and Youth Supports Project - Youth With A Mission Society
Shell Albian Sanda Environmental Grant
Arts for Change: Empowering WB Artists as Environmental Changemakers - Arts Council of Wood Buffalo
