Just one of the ways the Weyburn Credit Union helps to build better, brighter, and stronger communities is through their Community Fund Grants. This year, there is just under $60,000 up for grabs.

Applications opened up on Tuesday.

"Local community organizations can make applications to receive a community fund grant," said Tana Torkelson, Vice president of Marketing with the Weyburn Credit Union. 

"Our board of directors typically allocate 1 per cent of our pretax profits to our community fund. This year that means almost $60,000 is going to go out into our community to make it better, brighter and stronger and support initiatives that have a far reaching long lasting positive impact in our Community."

She noted, these grants are not for operational costs, but specific projects to fulfill this mandate.

"Our grants go towards capital funding, so it's really intended for those one off project based proposals. We typically don't fund operations or salaries or things like that, but we'll provide financial help to start something new or to assist with large purchases that aren't necessarily possible," explained Torkelson.

"So, this might include facility improvements, we replaced doors with accessible doors at the Weyburn Agricultural Society," she shared. "We've replaced roofs before, helped with renovations, playground structures, things like that."

"One major difference for when our members bank at a credit union, they are a part of something bigger. All of the profits that are created in our community stay in our community and we reinvest that by giving our profits back to our members and back to our communities."

The deadline to submit applications is April 12th, and the committee will notify all applicants by mid-June, with the public announcement to follow.

"We are actually planning to return to an in person event, hoping all things go smoothly, but we are looking to host something celebratory in person," she said. "Since the money is going to help our community, they would really like to celebrate that investment with our community."

Anyone with questions can also call 306 842 6641, email the WCU or visit a branch location. Find more details HERE.