The Werklund Foundation is built upon a family's values and beliefs. The Werklund Family recognize the value of leadership education and consider investing in our youth a responsibility.
The mission of the Foundation is to transform communities by inspiring youth to achieve their full potential. This can be achieved in many ways, but you must be able to provide evidence of a material positive change in the lives of the youth.
"Youth" is best understood as a period of transition from the dependence of childhood to the independence of adulthood. We recognize that youth is therefore a more fluid category than a fixed age-group. However, age is the easiest way to define this group, particularly in relation to education and programming. As a Foundation, we hope to inspire youth to realize their full potential at an early stage in their development and are therefore focused on young people between the ages of 9 and 22 years.
Our geographic focus is local first, although we will consider regional or national programs that include Calgary – we are based in Calgary and like to see the impact in our community.
We want to contribute where the funds can have the greatest possible impact for our relatively small contribution. We would prefer the impact of our funding to be evident and measurable.
We do not provide funding for research or for conferences. We prefer to fund operational programs that directly impact youth.
We can only fund organizations with a Canada Revenue Agency charitable registration.
The Foundation has provided funding of various amounts, from $100 to over $2 million. Typically, our grants are between $10,000 and $25,000. To date we have distributed over $6.2 million to Canadian charities.
To be considered for funding, please provide the necessary information detailed in our Application Process. Please note that Expressions of Interest can be submitted throughout the year. Those organizations who are shortlisted for consideration will then be asked to submit a fulsome Application for review by the Donation Committee. Final decisions will be announced by December 1st, with funding distributed before the year end.
Any organization who meets the above funding guidelines may apply to the Foundation for funding.
Applicants are invited to send an initial "Expression of Interest" to info@werklund.com
This document must provide the following information:
Expressions of Interest will be initially reviewed to ensure alignment with the mission of the Foundation. All applicants will receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of their Expression of Interest.
If your expression of interest is approved, you will be invited to submit a full Application.
Your organization may also be called upon to answer additional questions or to provide a tour of your facilities where appropriate. The full Application must provide the following additional information:
Please note, funds are fully distributed for 2020. For each calendar year, the Foundation will only consider funding for Applications received by August 30th. Shortlisted Applications will be considered by the Foundation Donation Committee in September and decisions communicated to all applicants by December 1st.
Please contact Shannon Knutson at the Werklund Foundation to discuss your ideas, invitations, or media inquiries.