Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Society of the Friends of the Edmonton Public Library (FEPL)

The Society of the Friends of the Edmonton Public Library (FEPL) is a volunteer non-profit society created to strengthen and enhance the work of the Edmonton Public Library (EPL). Operating as an independent charitable organization, FEPL promotes public interest in the library and mobilizes community support through memberships, special events, and licensed gaming activities. The funds raised are directed to EPL to support capital improvements, pilot programs and enhanced library services that go beyond what core public funding can provide.

According to its impact statement, over the past 25 years FEPL has contributed more than $1.4 million to EPL. These contributions have helped finance specific projects and initiatives, including new or improved spaces, program experimentation and expanded services for patrons across the city.

FEPL’s financial support is discretionary and project-based rather than delivered through open calls for grants. Funds are channeled directly to EPL to advance the library’s strategic vision and priorities. For example, in 2025 FEPL secured $98,000 in gaming-related revenues from casino volunteering, raffles and 50/50 draws, with a portion earmarked to support EPL’s 2026 Cook Up a Story Summer Camp for children from socially vulnerable families. Historically, similar support has been directed to capital projects and program innovation.

Through this model, FEPL functions as a philanthropic partner that augments EPL’s budget and enables new services, pilot projects and events. Its funding priorities align with the library’s mission: literacy promotion, equitable access to learning resources, community engagement and inclusive cultural and educational programming.

To generate this financial support, FEPL offers annual memberships, organizes salon speaker series and other events, and participates in provincially regulated gaming opportunities such as casinos and raffles. Members and donors contribute through a modest annual fee and targeted campaigns, and in return gain closer connection to the library’s impact, including newsletters, book recommendations and access to special events.

While FEPL does not operate traditional competitive grant programs open to the public, it plays a clear intermediary funding role: aggregating community contributions and redistributing them to EPL initiatives that benefit Edmonton residents. Its activities complement direct giving to EPL and other fundraising conducted by the library itself.