Community foundation gives out inaugural grants worth $115,600

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A non-profit organization got in the spirit of what has become known as Giving Tuesday with the announcement of grants.

Through a press release, North Peace Community Foundation (NPCF) announced on December 2nd the first recipients of its Strong Roots community endowment grants totalling $115,600.

The recipients were announced alongside the Coastal GasLink Community Fund on the first Tuesday after American Thanksgiving, touted according to Giving Tuesday’s website as one that “collaborates year-round to inspire generosity around the world, with a common mission to build a world where generosity is part of everyday life.”

The NPCF is an outfit supporting “community growth” in the North Peace and Northern Rockies regions, through “charitable giving, grants and legacy funds,” according to its website.

It is a coalition of community partners, including the City of Fort St. John’s Legacy Fund,

Petronas, Peace River Hydro Partners, the B.C. Community Prosperity Fund

through the Vancouver Foundation and TC Energy/Coastal GasLink.

Recipients of the Strong Roots community grants, which the NPCF says “promote mental health wellness, environmental education, youth programs, literacy, inclusive recreation and early intervention capacity,” are a collage of conservation, Indigenous, literacy and sporting groups.

The 2025 recipients for the Strong Roots community endowment grants are: 

• Child Development Centre of Fort St. John and district: Belonging through a growth and well-being project ($23,000).
• Double H Saddle Club: Pen plan upgrade, which includes gates and automatic waterers ($22,000).
•  Fort St. John Friendship Society: Towards Miyo’sin teens youth program ($20,000).
•  Fort Nelson Community Literacy Society: Frontline literacy worker training ($16,000).
• Charlie Lake Conservation Society: Science Is All Around Us program ($13,300).
• Fort St. John Association for Community Living: Wellness and mental health support program ($12,700).
• Fort St. John and Area Senior’s Care Foundation: Meals On Wheels, Better At Home, senior’s outreach ($5,000).

Additionally, the Coastal GasLink Community Grants went to the Whiskey Jack Nordic Ski Club, who will receive $1,300 toward a Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors (CANSI) program and the Fort St. John Literacy Society, who will receive $1,300 toward essential skills for life programming.

Tracey Wolsey, chair of NPCF’s board of directors, said in the release the grants “are rooted in local priorities such as workforce wellbeing, equity, environment, safety and learning.”

“We are honoured to support community organizations and to realize the vision of our founders to

create an enduring resource for ongoing community support,” said Wolsley. “Giving Tuesday is the perfect opportunity to celebrate these contributions and the foundation’s growth.”

More details about the NPCF can be found on the organization’s website.