Helping Hand Grants

Together, we can make great things happen.


Across rural Alberta, volunteers and local organizations work tirelessly to make life better for their neighbours, turning empty lots into playgrounds, kitchens into hubs for community meals and dreams into real change. They improve our communities and make the impossible possible.


The Helping Hand Grants program was created to make that work a little easier. Each year, Vision Credit Union proudly offers local organizations grants of up to $10,000 for capital projects that strengthen and enrich our branch communities. 


Learn more about applying for a Helping Hand Grant.

APPLY FOR A HELPING HAND GRANT TODAY!

Helping Hand Grants

Together, we can make great things happen.


Across rural Alberta, volunteers and local organizations work tirelessly to make life better for their neighbours, turning empty lots into playgrounds, kitchens into hubs for community meals and dreams into real change. They improve our communities and make the impossible possible.


The Helping Hand Grants program was created to make that work a little easier. Each year, Vision Credit Union proudly offers local organizations grants of up to $10,000 for capital projects that strengthen and enrich our branch communities. 


Learn more about applying for a Helping Hand Grant.


APPLY FOR A HELPING HAND GRANT TODAY!

What Helping Hand Grants support.


Helping Hand Grants are available to non-profits and community groups for capital projects that benefit our branch communities and the people who live there. These grants are designed for larger requests that fall outside of the usual minor sports and charitable requests, which will continue to be handled directly through our local branch network.


If your organization is working to make your community safer, more enriching, more inclusive, or more connected, your project may be a perfect fit.

Learn what you need to know to apply!

Last year's Helping Hand Grant recipients

Congratulations to the 2024/25 grant recipients.
Thank you for all you do to make our communities amazing places to live.

  • Valley Ski Hill, Alliance
  • Camrose Fire Department
  • Silver Creek Agricultural Society, Camrose
  • St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary, Camrose
  • Camrose Association for Community Living
  • Hay Lakes Fire Department, Camrose
  • Castor Minor Sports Council
  • Altario Community, Castor
  • Brownfield Recreation Centre, Castor
  • Society of Friends of Daysland School Council
  • Chauvin Fire Rescue, Edgerton
  • Villa Beausejour, Falher
  • Hardisty Toddlers Inn Playschool
  • Czar Agricultural Society, Hughenden
  • Amisk School, Hughenden
  • Hughenden Golden Circle Society
  • Killam Lions Club
  • Flagstaff Food Bank, Killam
  • Flagstaff Informed Response Team, Killam
  • Mackenzie Ski Hill Society
  • Coalition for Far Northwest Alberta Brighter Futures Society, La Crete
  • La Glace and District Agricultural Society
  • Nampa and District Agricultural Society, Peace River
  • Battle River Pioneer Museum Association, Manning
  • Manning Volleyball Club
  • Peace Regional Restorative Justice
  • Pincher Creek Community Early Learning Centres
  • Sedgewick Playschool
  • Lougheed Agricultural  Society, Sedgewick
  • Stettler and District Handi Bus Society
  • Hairy Hill 4-H Club, Two Hills
  • Vegreville Preschool Association
  • Innisfree Curling Club, Viking
  • Viking Minor Hockey
  • Wainwright REACH Foundation
  • Wainwright Elks Lodge 22
  • Wainwright Minor Ball
  • The Lone Ridge Community Hall, Wetaskiwin
  • Hillside Community Club, Wetaskiwin
  • Central Alberta Rescue Diving Society, Wetaskiwin


Thinking about applying?
Here’s what you’ll need to know:

  • Who can apply?

    Local schools, charities and community organizations that make a difference in the lives of people in the communities where Vision Credit Union operates. Religious and political organizations are not eligible at this time.

  • Does our organization need to bank with Vision Credit Union to apply?

    No. Helping Hand Grants are open to all community members.

  • What are they for?

    Helping Hand Grants are for capital projects intended for the social benefit and well-being of all citizens. These grants are designed for larger requests that fall outside of the usual minor sports and charitable requests, which will continue to be handled directly through our local branch network.

  • How much are the grants?

    Applications can be submitted for any funding amount up to a maximum of $10,000 per grant. The committee determines the grant amount based on the mandate of the Helping Hand Grants – how the project will benefit people in the community.

  • How can we apply?

    Applications are now closed. Applications are managed via Vision Credit Union’s grant management page on the Do Some Good platform. The application form is easy to use. Click here to have a look.

  • When will we know if we’ll receive a grant?

    Applicants will be notified about the status of their application in March 2026, prior to the general announcement at Vision's AGM.

  • When will the grant funding be awarded?

    Grant recipients will be announced at Vision Credit Union’s Annual General Meeting in March. Grant cheque presentations will be made at the branches following the AGM in March.

Insider tips for grant applicants

APPLY FOR A HELPING HAND GRANT TODAY!

Here's what recipients are saying...

Helping Hand stories

Camrose Community Kitchen receives $10,000 from Concentra's Empowering Your Community grant.

Community Visionaries: Camrose Community Kitchen

November 6, 2023
In the community of Camrose, where the population of folks over 65 is even larger than the provincial average, a non-profit called the Camrose and District Home Support Society and a community-minded local baker have teamed up to provide seniors with a Community Kitchen which supports a more social and healthy life. Not to mention fuller hearts and stomachs.
Rob Lawson, Irma 4-H Beef Club leader and Alberta beef farmer, leading a steer on his family farm.

Community Visionary: Rob Lawson | Irma's 4-H Beef Club

August 23, 2023
The lessons of 4-H keep growing with you. In fact, many 4-H members find their time in the club so impactful that they return to raise up other future farmers. Rob Lawson, a new Leader of Irma’s 4-H Beef Club, is one of those legacy members making a difference today.
Louis Ducsharm, a programmer at the Camrose Public Library, sits among the library book shelves.

Community Visionary: Louis Ducsharm | Camrose Public Library

July 6, 2023
New technology can be confusing and uncomfortable for some people, especially older generations. On the other hand, when someone grows up in a digital world filled with technology, it’s hard to get by and enjoy time without it. But the Camrose Public Library is bringing those two worlds together with the help of Louis Ducsharm who is paving the way for digital literacy, safety and community connections in the city.
Kahtleen Allen is stocking a freezer with ground beef at the Pincher Creek Community Food Centre.

Community Visionary: Kathleen Allen | Pincher Creek & District Community Food Centre

May 10, 2023
Although donations and volunteers are a big part of the Pincher Creek and District Community Food Centre's success, its day-to-day operations wouldn’t be possible without Kathleen Allen, the Food Centre’s Coordinator.