Twenty-six Yukon projects approved for support through the Community Development Fund

The Government of Yukon has approved 26 projects across the territory through the Community Development Fund, awarding a total of $810,339 to initiatives that will provide social and economic benefits for Yukoners.

Funding will support a wide range of projects, including facility upgrades, community programming, cultural initiatives, feasibility studies, sporting events and volunteer development. These investments will help organizations grow their services, improve community spaces and expand opportunities for residents.

The Community Development Fund awarded $165,211 to 12 projects through Tier 1 funding and $645,128 to 14 projects through Tier 2 funding.

Our project represents an investment in cultural preservation, community wellbeing, workforce development and the respectful stewardship of a place that holds deep significance for the Carcross/Tagish First Nation. This funding will help us undertake this meaningful work for the community today and for future generations as well.

Carcross/Tagish First Nation Ḵaa Shaadé Hení Maria Benoit

These projects demonstrate the strength of community-led initiatives across the Yukon. Through the Community Development Fund, we are proud to support work that builds capacity and delivers lasting benefits for Yukoners.

Minister of Economic Development, Tourism and Culture Jen Gehmair

The Willow Foundation Dawson City is extremely grateful to be receiving funds from the Community Development Fund. This funding will allow our non-profit organization to expand our services to support people in our community whose lives have been affected by mental health and/or addictions. This funding will allow Willow Foundation to provide training to our members and to operate a daily drop-in at our building in Dawson.

Co-founder and director of Willow Foundation Laurie Berglund

This project is about much more than building a new website – it will give our association a modern, integrated system for managing the Kilrich Yukon Native Hockey Tournament and communicating with the people who make it possible. By bringing registration, schedules, real-time game updates and sponsor recognition together through a website and mobile app, we can reduce the administrative burden on our volunteers while creating a smoother, more accessible experience for players, families and fans. This investment will help us continue growing the tournament while staying focused on what matters most: celebrating Indigenous hockey, culture and community.

President of Yukon First Nations Hockey Association Rick McLean

We are incredibly grateful for the Government of Yukon’s support through the Community Development Fund. This investment allows us to continue growing our organization in a sustainable way, ensuring we can meet the needs of our expanding community while providing high-quality recreational and competitive opportunities for people of all ages across the Yukon.

Manager of Whitehorse Nordic Ski Society Benjamin Poudou

Quick facts
  • The Community Development Fund supports projects that provide long-term social, cultural and economic benefits to Yukon communities.

  • Eligible applicants include registered non-profit societies, not-for-profit corporations, charitable organizations, municipal governments, First Nations governments and First Nations development corporations undertaking community-level initiatives.

  • Eligible projects include new construction projects, renovations and restoration, physical improvements to buildings or lands, research and planning, training and skill development and programs or events.

  • The Community Development Fund provides up to 90 per cent of the total project costs. Funding is divided into three tiers with the following application deadlines:

    • Tier 1 applications of $20,000 or less are due on January 15, May 15, July 15 and October 15.
    • Tier 2 applications between $20,001 and $75,000 are due on April 15 and September 15.
    • Tier 3 applications over $75,000 are due on January 15.
Backgrounder

Twelve projects received Tier 1 funding, which is available to organizations requesting up to $20,000:

BYTE – Empowering Youth Society was approved for $19,872 to host the Territorial Accountability Gathering for individuals aged 16 to 30 from across the Yukon.

Dawson Society for Children and Families was approved for $16,236 to hire a contractor to construct a moveable outdoor gazebo at the Little Blue Daycare. This will provide shade and weather protection for children and staff.

Junction Arts and Music Society was approved for $7,847 to purchase a high-quality audio mixer. This will be used at events such as the Glacier Nights Snow festival.

Liard First Nation was approved for $17,800 to formalize and strengthen the Dena Keh justice program through the documentation of Kaska cultural knowledge, development of training and research.

Lorne Mountain Community Association was approved for $16,090 to upgrade the existing nine-hole disc golf course at Mount Lorne to an 18-hole course.

Squash Yukon was approved for $6,118 to train and certify four new coaches and 10 new referees to support the growth of the sport in the Yukon.

Whitehorse Concerts was approved for $4,200 to hire a contractor to upgrade the Whitehorse Concerts’ website.

Whitehorse Nordic Ski Society was approved for $20,000 to hire a part-time projects coordinator to focus on capital planning, fundraising, sponsorship and program sustainability to support the growth of the society.

Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition was approved for $11,266 to develop a free booklet highlighting Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition’s history and impacts and host an event where it will be distributed.

Yukon Broomball Association was approved for $20,000 to support rental fees for the 2026 World Broomball Championships, taking place in Whitehorse from November 3 to 7, 2026.

Yukon Chapter - Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society was approved for $12,898 to support the 2026 Martes Symposium in September. The event will provide a platform to discuss global issues related to mid-sized carnivores.

Yukon First Nations Hockey Association was approved for $12,884 to develop a new website and mobile application platform for the Yukon Native Hockey Tournament. This will introduce real-time game updates, simplified scheduling and enhanced opportunities for sponsor promotion.

Fourteen projects received Tier 2 funding, which is available to organizations requesting between $20,001 and $75,000:

Carcross Tagish Limited Partnership was approved for $70,169 to complete the final phase of the Carcross Bike Park by building advanced bike features.

Carcross/Tagish First Nation was approved for $71,096 to renovate and revitalize the Carcross Historical Cemetery.

Flatwater Paddling Yukon Society was approved for $42,800 to conduct a feasibility study for improvements to the existing flatwater paddling facility.

Klondike Visitors Association was approved for $43,000 to upgrade the Diamond Tooth Gerties' sound system.

Northern Cultural Expressions Society was approved for $21,273 to support the strategic planning and governance alignment of both the society’s board and staff. This will assist in the expansion of programming and organizational growth.

Sha Shäw Corporation was approved for $21,000 to add additional workspaces and equipment to the Ts’u Ghay sewing maker space in Haines Junction.

Tennis Yukon Association was approved for $31,000 to conduct a feasibility study for a shared indoor racquet sports facility in Whitehorse.

Yukon Foundation was approved for $50,000 to develop a branding and marketing strategy. This will increase the availability of scholarships and other opportunities.

Town of Faro was approved for $73,800 to upgrade the equipment in the Town of Faro’s weight room.

Village of Teslin was approved for $63,500 to repair and install emergency management and preparedness infrastructure.

Whitehorse United Football Club was approved for $30,442 to prepare a feasibility study and needs assessment for a dedicated indoor soccer facility.

Willow Foundation was approved for $57,596 to hire two staff and train them to be lead trauma-informed trainers. This will help to reduce reliance on external trainers and increase community resilience.

Yukon Arts Foundation was approved for $50,737 to hire a time-limited project coordinator for the 2027 Yukon Prize Visual Arts Festival.

Youth Of Today Society was approved for $18,715 to purchase a UV printer and a laser printer to aid in the delivery of youth workshops.

Media contact

Tim Kucharuk
Press secretary, Cabinet Communications 
867-335-2419
[email protected]

Manon Touffet
Communications, Economic Development, Tourism and Culture
867-457-0175
[email protected] 

News release #:
26-231
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Date modified: 2026-08-12