History

In 1995 a group of community members came together to discuss how they could have a meaningful impact and meet the needs of other individuals who were searching for a way to leave a lasting legacy in their community, the idea of establishing a Community Foundation in Grande Prairie was born. This was followed by a visit from Doug McNally, the then Chief Executive Officer of the Edmonton Community Foundation, where he shared information about the national movement with this passionate group.

In January of 1996 the Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie received charitable and not-for-profit status. In 2013 the organization was renamed as the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta to reflect the broader impact it has and large geographical region that it serves today.

The Foundation was accredited under Imagine Canada’s National Standards Program in 2015, a Canada-wide set of shared standards for charities and non-profits. The accreditation is designed to strengthen practices in five fundamental areas: board governance, financial accountability and transparency, fundraising, staff management, and volunteer involvement.

Since their earliest years your Community Foundation has worked to develop strong, resilient and vital communities throughout Northwestern Alberta.

Today, they are a charitable organization with more than $7 million in assets, a recognized leader in the Community Foundation movement, and a force for building community.

Values
Dedicated leadership demonstrated through ongoing community improvement. Trustworthiness, integrity and accountability to their stakeholders drive all of their decisions. Forward focused, their team approach is to maintain continuous growth and improvement.

Mission
Connect People. Build Community. For Good and Forever.