Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Elk Island Community Foundation (EICF)

Elk Island Community Foundation (EICF) is a newly incorporated community foundation created to channel local generosity into long-term support for the communities within Alberta’s Elk Island region. Serving the Counties of Lamont, Minburn and Two Hills, the foundation pools donations in endowed and non-endowed funds and distributes a portion of the investment income each year as grants to registered charities. Its model is designed to create a permanent source of community funding while remaining responsive to emerging local needs.

EICF positions itself as a flexible source of funding for a wide range of charitable activities. The foundation highlights support for culture, including museums and festivals; community groups such as food banks and early childhood development organizations; school programs; scholarships for students; and enhanced services for seniors. Donors may establish named endowment funds with specific purposes, such as supporting school lunch programs or youth clubs, or contribute to unrestricted funds that allow the foundation to respond to the most pressing issues in the region.

Each year, Elk Island Community Foundation invites applications for grants, typically accepted in the fall, from eligible charitable organizations operating in its catchment area. Applications are reviewed by a grants committee of the board, which assesses proposals in light of donor intentions and community priorities and then makes recommendations to the full board for approval. The foundation emphasizes that it operates under Canada Revenue Agency regulations for charities and that most donations are invested in endowment funds whose income is granted out repeatedly over time.

In addition to endowments, EICF accepts flow-through grants, where an individual or organization gives funds to the foundation with the explicit instruction that they be directed to a specific charity. This mechanism allows donors to benefit from the foundation’s administration and receipting while targeting their support. EICF also offers several ways of giving, including cash or credit card donations, gifts by will, life insurance, and charitable remainder trusts, enabling donors to structure long-term philanthropic commitments.

By focusing on the Counties of Lamont, Minburn and Two Hills, Elk Island Community Foundation plays a regional role similar to other established community foundations in Alberta. Its mission is to build a significant permanent fund that will continue to generate grants for local projects and services far into the future. Through a combination of donor-directed and unrestricted funds, as well as recurring calls for grant applications, EICF aims to create meaningful, sustainable impact across cultural, educational and social sectors in the Elk Island region.