Photo Credit: City of Grande Prairie

By Shane Clausing

Community improvement grants

City accepting applications for Community Improvement Grants

Aug 18, 2020 | 5:00 AM

The City of Grande Prairie in encouraging residents that are focused on improving infrastructure in their community to apply for it’s Community Improvement Grants.

The Community Improvement Grant Program provides opportunities for community groups and residents to start innovative and creative projects to help improve and benefit their community.

Katie Biberdorf, the Community Recreation Development Supervisor for the City of Grande Prairie says while these grants have been around for a while, they’ve modified the process to make filing applications easier for those interested in spearheading community projects.

“We combined three grants that used to be separate. There was a Parks Improvement Grant, Community Enhancement Grant, and a Neighbourhood Matching Grant. A lot of community groups and neighbourhood associations were having difficulties navigating which grant they should apply for, so we centralized the process and put them into one grant to make them simpler.”

Biberdorf explained that there is a wide range of community projects that are eligible for the grants, and the projects can really benefit the community.

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“Some of the activities or projects they have done (in the past) are edible orchards, extra picknick tables, extra fitness parks. Things that foster civic pride and build connections in the community.”

Those who apply for the grants can apply for two different funding options.

The first funding option is a matching grant of up to $5,000. The City will match contributions made by organizations towards a project. Multi-phased projects will also be considered, but the same phase will not be funded more than once.

The other options is a one time grant of up to $2,500 for one-time initiatives only. The initiatives cannot be a part of multi-phased projects.

Biberdorf says that for those interested in taking advantage of the grant, the application process is simple.

“You submit an application form with your project details and a budget as well, so that we can determine, if it’s a matching grant, how much we can provide the match up to, or if they can apply for a straight cash grant.”

Applications are due by October 1.

Once the applications are submitted, they’re reviewed by a committee and by the end of November, the City will notify the applicant if their application was approved.

Those who had projects approved will have a full calendar year to complete their projects.

Biberdorf mentioned that she didn’t have an exact number on how many applications are submitted each year, but added that it’s a great way to get a community project up and running.

Applications for the grants can be found here.