Williams Lake Community Forest Now Accepting 2026 Grant Applications

Joint Release from the City of Williams Lake and Williams Lake First Nation:

The Williams Lake Community Forests' (WLCF) 2025 Granting Application six-week window is currently open and accepting applications for 2026 projects until 4 pm on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

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 west to the east side of the Fraser River, North to Marguerite and south to Dog Creek.  Along Highway 97 the eligible area extends south to include 141 Mile, then east to Bosk and Crooked Lakes and north encompassing Quesnel Lake and Mitchell Lake. A map is provided on the WLCF website: https://williamslakecommunityforest.com/about/location/ 

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 towards:

• outdoor opportunities relating to sustainable forestry;
• education and outreach projects for any/all age groups; 
• environmental stewardship;
• other projects particularly related to forest resource values; or 
• capital improvements to facilities available for public use, including recreation and recreational structures such as trails, signs and kiosks.

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 WLCF has increased its allocation over the years and expects to award $80,000 for successful 2026 projects. Previous WLCF grant distributions were $23,500 in 2019, $45,000 annually from 2020 – 2022, $65,000 in 2023, $75,000 in 2024, and $80,000 in 2025. Students pursuing post-secondary studies can also apply for Youth Awards starting in January 2026 on the same Community Granting page of the website.   

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/.