Werklund Foundation


The Werklund Foundation is built upon a family's values and beliefs. The Werklund Family recognize the value of leadership education and consider investing in our youth a responsibility.

Werklund Foundation Funding Guidelines

Area of Focus

The mission of the Foundation is to transform communities by inspiring youth to achieve their full potential. This can be achieved in many ways, but you must be able to provide evidence of a material positive change in the lives of the youth.

What do we mean by "Youth"

"Youth" is best understood as a period of transition from the dependence of childhood to the independence of adulthood. We recognize that youth is therefore a more fluid category than a fixed age-group. However, age is the easiest way to define this group, particularly in relation to education and programming. As a Foundation, we hope to inspire youth to realize their full potential at an early stage in their development and are therefore focused on young people between the ages of 9 and 22 years.


Our geographic focus is local first, although we will consider regional or national programs that include Calgary – we are based in Calgary and like to see the impact in our community.

We want to contribute where the funds can have the greatest possible impact for our relatively small contribution. We would prefer the impact of our funding to be evident and measurable.

We do not provide funding for research or for conferences. We prefer to fund operational programs that directly impact youth.

We can only fund organizations with a Canada Revenue Agency charitable registration.

The Foundation has provided funding of various amounts, from $100 to over $2 million. Typically, our grants are between $10,000 and $25,000. To date we have distributed over $6.2 million to Canadian charities.

Application Timelines

To be considered for funding, please provide the necessary information detailed in our Application Process. Please note that Expressions of Interest can be submitted throughout the year. Those organizations who are shortlisted for consideration will then be asked to submit a fulsome Application for review by the Donation Committee. Final decisions will be announced by December 1st, with funding distributed before the year end.

Werklund Foundation Application Process

Any organization who meets the above funding guidelines may apply to the Foundation for funding.

Applicants are invited to send an initial "Expression of Interest" to info@werklund.com

This document must provide the following information:

  1. Name of organization
  2. CRA charitable number
  3. Contact details (contact name, address, email, telephone, fax)
  4. Description of organization (mission, vision, specific area of focus, services and/or programs provided)
  5. Description of specific request:
    1. Use and purpose of funds
    2. Impact (Define social impact and how it is measured)

Expressions of Interest will be initially reviewed to ensure alignment with the mission of the Foundation. All applicants will receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of their Expression of Interest.

If your expression of interest is approved, you will be invited to submit a full Application.

Your organization may also be called upon to answer additional questions or to provide a tour of your facilities where appropriate. The full Application must provide the following additional information:

  1. Brief history of the organization (reason and timing of origination, individuals involved)
  2. Governance (names and bios of directors/officers)
  3. Update on specific funding request:
    1. Total amount sought from all sources vs amount requested from Foundation
    2. Current status of funding/commitments, anticipated timing
  4. Meaningful Numbers:
    1. Latest financial statements and annual report
    2. Number of youth impacted, employees, hours of service provided and any other numbers you feel are important
  5. Barriers to success:
    1. What is stopping you achieve your vision and how might the Foundation help?
  6. Network:
    1. List of organizations providing similar services in your geographic area
    2. Describe how you collaborate and the factors that differentiate you
    3. Please elaborate on any existing or prior relationship with any member of the Werklund family, the Werklund Foundation or the Werklund group of companies

Please note - for each calendar year, the Foundation will only consider funding for Applications received by August 30th. Shortlisted Applications will be considered by the Foundation Donation Committee in September and decisions communicated to all applicants by December 1st.

Contact Information

Please contact Shannon Knutson at the Werklund Foundation to discuss your ideas, invitations, or media inquiries.

David Werklund


~ Napoleon Hill
4500, 400 - 3rd Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2P 4H2
Werklund Foundation
Telephone: 403.231.6545
Fax: 403.231.6549