Grant and Funding Programs Offered by The Stephen and Michelene Worobetz Foundation

The Stephen & Michelene Worobetz Foundation is a private foundation created from the philanthropic legacy of Stephen and Michelene Worobetz. With administrative support and guidance from Saskatoon Community Foundation, it provides structured grant funding to qualified donees under the Income Tax Act, such as registered charities and other eligible institutions. Income generated from the foundation’s capital is granted out by its trustees according to clearly defined preferences, primarily supporting religious, health, educational and cultural initiatives.

The foundation’s guidelines highlight several preferred areas of support. In religion, it especially favours Ukrainian Catholic charities. In health, it supports organizations involved in research, teaching and spiritual health care. In education, it is interested in projects that disseminate information about Catholic and Ukrainian culture, including student awards where appropriate. In culture, it backs initiatives that promote Ukrainian culture and research that increases awareness and appreciation of that culture.

Beyond these themes, the foundation also prioritizes assistance to persons with special needs—particularly children, youth and disadvantaged seniors—through qualified donees. It supports projects that encourage and recognize volunteer service in religion, health, education and culture, reflecting the founders’ emphasis on community engagement.

Grants are awarded primarily through a competitive application process. Registered charities apply online via the Saskatoon Community Foundation grant portal, with two fixed annual deadlines (March 1 and October 1). Applications are reviewed by the Worobetz Foundation Granting Committee, which may request additional information, conduct site visits or hold interviews. The committee makes recommendations to the trustees, who approve final grants.

All successful applicants must agree to any conditions set by the trustees, use funds as approved, and submit follow-up reports within nine months of receiving a grant. Unused portions of grants must generally be returned. The foundation does not normally fund projects that are typically covered by public tax revenues, ongoing core operations, endowments, reserves or organizations that primarily re-grant money to other groups.

The Stephen & Michelene Worobetz Foundation asks grant recipients to publicly acknowledge its support and to use its logo in recognition materials where possible. Through its focused priorities and regular grant cycles, the foundation extends the founders’ commitment to improving circumstances for individuals, institutions and the wider community, with a particular emphasis on Ukrainian Catholic life, cultural heritage, health, education and inclusion for people with special needs.