Photo/ International Paper/ Facebook

By Courtney Almeida

International Paper

Applications open for International Paper Foundation grant funding worth $80,000

May 20, 2019 | 7:00 AM

International Paper Grande Prairie Mill has announced that in 2019 they will be once again awarding $80,000 worth of grant funding to community organizations through the International Paper Foundation. Applications are now open to the public and being accepted until the September 20 deadline.

International Paper is a packaging, paper and pulp producer. The company has a mill in Grande Prairie in addition to manufacturing operations in more than 24 countries globally.

Funding awarded by the International Paper Foundation focuses on addressing critical community needs where their employees live and work like, environmental education, and literacy.

“International Paper really believes in putting their money back into the communities where they operate. Specifically, for all the good work that these organizations are doing in our communities so we’re very proud and humble to be able to try and help where we can,” says Wade Doris, Vice President of Finance for International Paper.

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To qualify for grants, applicants must be a registered local not for profit organization or qualified government entity.

“We were able to give away $80,000 last year and then another $80,000 this year. Hopefully, we get to do another $80,000 next year” said Doris.

Last year, five local community organizations were awarded funding. Mighty Peace Youth Society, Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, Benzanson Agricultural Society, Grade Three Ready Academy Society and Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools all took home a portion of that $80,000 sum.

Doris explains that not every organization will receive the same amount of funding. “Every group will be asked to put in their request and then we will go through and determine how to divvy up the funds.” Applicants who won grants last year do have the opportunity to re-apply again.

“Hopefully, it can go right to their bottom line and help fund some great programming. I think what we found in our first year is that there was some really awesome programs that we were able to help out, where there is a lack of funding sources, we’re hoping that this can really help out.”

This year’s donation will mark $160,000 of total money donated back to Swan City groups by International Paper. However, Doris notes that, “the giving fund that IP has is over 50 years old but of course with IP still being relatively new to Grande Prairie, this is the second year that it’ll be able to impact Grande Prairie.”

The foundation gives priority to funding programs that are related to their signature causes which are: Education, Hunger, Health and Wellness, and Disaster Relief.

International Paper outlines that literacy programs supporting children from birth to grade three are of most importance, to help them grow through comprehensive education.

Programs that improve food security, promote healthy living, address environmental initiatives and help communities prepare or recover from natural disasters also take precedence during the foundation’s decision-making period.

“We look forward to having all those applications in front of us and hopefully, we have some tough decisions to make,” said Doris.

To learn more about the International Paper Foundation or apply for grant funding click here.