Westlock Community Foundation 

This month, we’re thrilled to spotlight the Westlock Community Foundation! The foundation oversees permanent funds established by generous donors. These funds are invested to generate income, which is then allocated to the charities chosen by the donors with the goal of building a vibrant community.

About the Westlock Community Foundation 

The Westlock Community Foundation is the heart of the community in action. Albert and Florence Miller were beloved lifelong members of Westlock. They dedicated their lives to making the town a better place to live for everyone, spending their days volunteering, organizing community events, and lending a helping hand to those in need.  

The Millers left their estate to the Town of Westlock, ensuring the community they loved would thrive for generations to come. Their generous gift culminated in the creation of the Westlock Community Foundation, incorporated in 2021. 

The foundation provides funding for several long-term local charities and projects that improve life in the region including: 

• The Community Priorities Grant is the Foundation’s largest granting program, and the first established with the Millers’ gift. It supports projects answering a variety of community needs, including affordability, economic vibrancy, safety, connection and belonging, active living, and the environment. 

• The Community Priorities Grant – Capital Stream covers organizations and initiatives working towards the goals of the Community Priorities Grant but is intended for capital requests only — significant one-time purchases or expenditures that offer enduring benefits. 

• The Rural Resiliency Fund supports organizations and projects that enhance and sustain quality of life in the rural communities that make up Westlock and the surrounding region. 

• The Literacy and Learning Fund supports ongoing community development and educational initiatives for learners of all ages. 

• The Youth in Action Grant empowers and encourages young community leaders, funding projects developed, led, and organized by people aged 11 to 25. 

• The Community Catalysts Grant supports local groups and initiatives that foster connection, inclusivity, and community spirit with small-scale projects, events, and activities that enrich community life and bring people together. 

By the end of 2026, the Foundation will have invested more than one and a half million dollars into the region. 

In 2024, the Town of Westlock proclaimed May 1 Miller Giving Day, in honour of the love, generosity, and community spirit that led to the creation of the Foundation. 

The Foundation also supports local non-profits by offering a variety of educational opportunities, helping organizations grow their capacity to improve the community. Please click here for more information about these learning opportunities. 

How You Can Help 

The Foundation makes it easy for people to help build the kind of community they want to live in. Organizations can create new endowment funds for meaningful causes; the Westlock United Church recently entrusted the Foundation with a $100,000 fund-starting donation dedicated to food security in the region.  

Like the Millers, individuals or families can leave a gift in their will, creating a legacy that will support cherished causes for years to come. Additionally, individuals can make one-time or ongoing donations in support of their favourite causes, knowing that their contribution becomes part of a greater fund, creating a larger, longer-lasting impact. To learn more about becoming a “community investor,” please click here. 

The Westlock Community Foundation is about more than just giving grants. It transforms visions for the future of the community into reality. Every project builds a stronger, more resilient community that thrives on compassion, creativity, and connection — making Westlock a place where everyone can thrive.