The City of Grande Prairie is accepting applications for the Community Improvement Grant and the Pursuit of Excellence Scholarships, both designed to build quality of life, inspire local talent and create opportunities across the community.

Community Improvement Grant

The Community Improvement Grant helps residents and organizations bring forward projects that foster civic pride, strengthen neighbourhood connections, and create shared spaces that benefit the whole community. Past projects have included outdoor fitness parks, edible landscapes, neighbourhood murals and improvements like benches, bike racks and picnic tables. 

By combining several former funding programs into one streamlined grant, the City has made it easier than ever for groups to apply. Funding is available through both matching contributions of up to $5,000 or non-matching grants of up to $2,500, depending on the scale and scope of the project.

New: Active Transportation Funding Stream 

As part of this program, the new Active Transportation stream focuses specifically on walking, cycling, and other non-motorized travel. Up to $2,500 per project is available for initiatives such as building or enhancing bike lanes, adding pedestrian walkways, purchasing equipment like helmets or bike racks, offering community education, or improving safety and accessibility through features like lighting, shade, and benches.

Pursuit of Excellence Scholarships

Alongside community grants, the City is also accepting applications for the Pursuit of Excellence Scholarships, which support athletes, coaches, and officials in Grande Prairie as they work toward achieving their goals:

• Bob Neufeld Scholarship – Up to four scholarships of $1,200 annually for athletes, volunteer coaches, or officials furthering their expertise in sport.
• Come Fly With Me Fund – A legacy fund established by freestyle skiing champion Ryan Blais, in partnership with the Northwestern Alberta Foundation, providing support to elite local athletes for training and development while encouraging community contribution. Award amounts vary annually based on the endowment’s value.
• Perky McCullough International Excellence Scholarship – Two scholarships of $2,500 annually for local athletes with strong potential for international success.

“The City is proud to invest in initiatives that not only improve infrastructure but also strengthen community health and sustainability,” said Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton. “Through the Community Improvement and Pursuit of Excellence programs, we can provide residents with the tools to enhance our city, support local talent, and inspire future generations.”

The deadline to apply for all programs is October 1, 2025.

Interested individuals and organizations can find eligibility details and application forms at: cityofgp.com/funding.