Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation (CRYIF)

The Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation (CRYIF) is a charitable foundation created by the Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition Association to give back to the community. Established in 2014, it focuses on youth in Surrey and the Lower Fraser Valley by channeling proceeds from activities such as the annual 50/50 draw into scholarships, sponsorships and community support. CRYIF structures its work around three pillars: Financial (scholarships, youth event sponsorships, community contributions), Resources (in‑kind support, facilities and equipment) and People (volunteers, mentorship and event assistance).

CRYIF administers several recurring post‑secondary scholarship programs for grade 12 students. The main CRYIF Scholarship is open to current and past student volunteers of the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair and is awarded based on volunteer participation, community involvement, academics and leadership. Additional named awards include the Isabella Olson “Rising Above” Scholarship, recognizing a Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary student who has overcome significant personal or family challenges, and the Gary & Gail Grelish Foundation Scholarship, which supports a Surrey School District student demonstrating perseverance in the face of learning difficulties. These awards typically provide $1,500–$2,000 toward post‑secondary or trades education, with clear eligibility, documentation and deadlines and disbursement upon proof of enrollment.

Beyond individual students, CRYIF also operates a Funding / Resource Application stream for organizations. Youth‑focused groups and programs in British Columbia, with activities benefiting youth in the Lower Fraser Valley, can request financial sponsorship, access to equipment or facilities, and volunteer support. Eligible applicants include registered charities, foundations able to issue tax receipts, and community‑based programs that align with the foundation’s youth mandate.

CRYIF’s primary beneficiaries are high‑school students in Surrey and the Lower Fraser Valley, particularly those engaged as volunteers with the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair, youth who have faced adversity, and students with documented learning differences. On the organizational side, the foundation supports youth‑serving charities, community hubs and initiatives through grants, in‑kind contributions and volunteer mobilisation. Annual lists of scholarship recipients show sustained support across many secondary schools in the region, illustrating the foundation’s ongoing investment in educational access and community leadership.

The foundation is overseen by a Board of Advisors reporting to the Board of Directors of the Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition Association, with dedicated committees for scholarships, fundraising, events and youth ambassadors. Application forms for scholarships and organizational funding outline specific criteria, required documentation, and clear deadlines, and state that incomplete or illegible applications will not be considered. Funds are released only after verification of post‑secondary enrollment, and the association commits to handling applicants’ personal information in compliance with Canadian privacy legislation.