The City of Lloydminster has determined who will be receiving a cut of the 2026 Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) grant.
The FCSS program is an 80/20 funding partnership between the Province of Alberta and municipalities.
Read more: Lloydminster council concerned over permitting contract
“In 2026, the anticipated budget is $385,000 to be available through the grant. That’s typically the number we’ve held for the grant over the last few years,” said Patrick Lancaster, the City of Lloydminster’s social programs and services manager.
This year’s applications saw less money being requested.
“A call for application was issued Aug. 1, through Sept. 29 and 17 applications were received totalling $736,000 in asks,” he said. “This is down slightly from the previous year where we received $760,000 in asks.”
As Lancaster went through the presentation, he highlighted some of the notable changes.
“We are seeing an increase in the amount of funding, year-to-year, for Catholic social services for senior connections, an increase of about $40,000,” he said. “This is in recognition of the increased demand for seniors’ services in the area, seen both by our department and other agencies within the community.
“We’re also seeing a $14,000 increase for the SPARK Foundation for the Lloydminster Community Youth Centre outreach program.”
While not everyone received a cut of the funding, Lancaster says that isn’t reflective on the work they do in the community.
“There are also a few organizations that did not receive funding as part of the ask this year,” he said. “That’s not a commentary on the value of the services; we believe everyone who applied this year provides tremendous service to the city.”
Coun. Michael Diachuk says the investment the city puts in is well worth the money.
“One of the things that always strikes me, it’s with pride when I see the number of different organizations in our city that really step up and fill the gaps in terms of places where people in our society need assistance and help,” he said. “From my perspective, when you look at our contribution, it’s small relative to the impact these funds were able to make.”
Council voted in favour of the FCSS funding allocation to the following groups:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lloydminster for Mentoring Matters, $45,000.
- Walking Through Grief Society for Walking Through Grief Support, $19,000.
- Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre for Strengthening Our People, $48,230.
- Lloydminster & Area Brain Injury Society for Pathways to Empowerment, $10,000.
- The Olive Tree Community Centre for Senior Outreach Worker, $20,000.
- Catholic Social Services for Seniors Connections, $70,000.
- Inclusion Lloydminster Engaging Families, Creating Good Lives, $7,000.
- SPARK Foundation of Lloydminster for the Family Violence Prevention Program, $40,000.
- SPARK Foundation of Lloydminster for Lloydminster Community Youth Centre Outreach Program, $54,000.
- Midwest Family Connections for First Steps, $45,000.
- Midwest Family Connections for Maternal Mental Health Initiative, $3,000.
- Border City Connects Society for Volunteer Recruitment and Retention, $15,770.
- Lloydminster Area Drug Strategy for #yll Minds Matter, $8,000.
Read more: Lloydminster budget 2026: what you need to know
