Williams Lake Community Forest Now Accepting Grant Applications

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The Williams Lake Community Forest’s 2023 Granting Application six-week window is currently open and accepting applications for 2024 projects until 4 pm on Friday, November 17, 2023.

Grant applicants must be living and/or working in the WLCF “local area” which is defined as the City of Williams Lake, and CRD Electoral Areas D, E, and F. This area extends North to Marguerite, south to Dog Creek and follows the east side of the Fraser River. Along Highway 97 the eligible area extends south to include 141 Mile, and northeast encompassing Bosk Lake, Crooked Lake, Quesnel Lake and Mitchell Lake.  A map is provided on the WLCF website under the “About/Location” section.  

Applications can come from registered charities, non-profit and/or community organizations such as Parent Advisory Councils, clubs including 4H clubs, and community associations.  Public, Private and Indigenous schools and educators are also invited to apply if they are within the “local area” described above. 

Funds are targeted toward:

projects enhancing economic development; 

recreation and recreational structures including trails, signs and kiosks; 

culture and the arts projects as they relate to forests and forest values; 

capital improvements;

education and outreach projects for all age groups; and 

other projects particularly related to forest resource values.

There is a pre-established set of evaluation criteria provided with the application form, along with a budget template. Five per cent of annual WLCF profits are set aside to be distributed to the community through this granting program.  

The Williams Lake Community Forest has increased its allocation for 2024 by $10,000 thanks to receiving the Robin Hood Memorial Award 2023 for Excellence in Community Forestry, and expects to award $75,000 for 2024 projects.  Previous WLCF grant distributions were $23,500 in 2019, $45,000 annually from 2020 – 2022, and $65,000 in 2023.     

Paper application forms are available at the Williams Lake Community Forest Office at 177 Yorston Street, or locate digital forms online at https://williamslakecommunityforest.com/community-granting/.