On September 18^th, 2025, YKCF held its annual appreciation BBQ for fund holders, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners. This year, a new element was added to the event: a ceremony celebrating our newly-awarded grant recipients.

Through the evening, the room hummed with chatter, as everyone felt a mutual admiration for each other’s work and role in the community. They were especially appreciative, of course, to learn about each grant project and the work ahead:

• We Always Remember: Circle for Northern Residential School Survivors – Community Enrichment Stream – Overseeing the construction of a Residential School Survivor Monument, per Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action #82.
• AVENS – Albert and Hilya Hall Seniors Enhancement Fund – Elementary student visits to AVEN Manor and Pavilion.
• AVENS – Barb Bromley Fund for Seniors and Elders – Weekly choral lessons for Seniors living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
• Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories – Support sessions for Persons Living with Dementia and their caregivers.
• Yellowknife Search and Rescue – Gary Robinson Memorial Fund – Basic Searcher Training and Wilderness First Aid.
• Tin Can Collective – Helen and John Parker Community Fund – Staged adaptation of Alison McCreesh’s graphic novel Degrees of Separation.
• Yellowknife Women’s Society – Holy Family Lutheran Legacy Fund – Implementation of a tenant-led governance structure and decision-making model at YKWS’ Spruce Bough housing program.
• Equal Voice Foundation  – Women’s Leadership Fund – Educational workshops on how to campaign in anticipation of local elections.
• Food Rescue Yellowknife – Community Enrichment Stream – Replacing 3 freezers and adding 2 more to expand operations
• Territorial Agrifood Association – Community Enrichment Stream – Acquisition of tents for year 4 of the NWT Culinary Festival.
• Yellowknife Curling Club – Community Enrichment Stream – Specialized introductory programming for marginalized communities
• Northern Journalism Training Initiative – Organizational Capacity Stream – Training and certifications in Curriculum Design, Group Facilitation, and Blended Intermediate First Aid
• Yellowknife Ski Club – Train the Trainer and Coach Certification Courses
• Yellowknife Women’s Society – Trent University Non-Profit Management Course for the new executive director of a standalone daycare agency