Community Service
As a not-for-profit community service organization, Northlands continuously reinvests in the community.
Northlands strives to make the Capital Region and Northern Alberta a better place to live, work and do business.
Each year Northlands has invested more than $1.2 million in cash and in-kind back into the community. The range of contributions is extensive and reflects not only the business sectors in which we operate but looks to address core community needs. We encourage you to navigate through Our Community page to not only view Northlands and its partner’s contributions but see how you can join our effort to make a difference.
At Northlands, we use our expertise, signature events and venues to enhance the quality of life for residents of Edmonton and Northern Alberta and deliver exceptional experiences.
To view a sample of our contributions, please click on the respective community investment pillars below:
Education & Agriculture
By supporting programs and organizations that educate children and youth, Northlands directly invests in the future leaders of our community. By investing in programs that provide agricultural education opportunities for all, Northlands supports the development of Alberta’s agricultural community.
Post-Secondary Scholarships & Awards
Through an endowment established in 1982/83 by Northlands, in partnership with 11 post secondary institutions, more than $40,000 in scholarships and awards are eligible to be awarded annually to college and university students. Addtionally, Northlands partners with both the Sheep producers for specific scholarships as well as Junior Futurity Scholarships for youth beef exhibitors.
Edmonton Rodeo Cowboy Benevolent Foundation
The Edmonton Rodeo Cowboy Benevolent Foundation was created in 1989 and assists athletes who experience financial hardship due to rodeo-related injuries. To date more than 260 athletes have received over $2 million in support.
Northlands Urban Farm
The Northlands Urban Farm provides a rich learning environment for students learning about food, science and biology. The farm consists of commercial food production, urban bee hives, a chicken coup with hens and composting. All these activities allow students to take an in-depth look at sustainable agriculture production methods, urban food production, pollination and the biodiversity. School tours and public tours are available.
Northlands Beekeeping Project
The Beekeeping Project is a sustainable agriculture initiative. This project educates local youth on the ecological importance of bees, and provides practical experience in urban beekeeping. This project educates local youth on the ecological importance of bees, and provides practical experience in urban beekeeping. It is a free youth clubs open to all Edmonton and area junior and senior high students (11-19 years old). In addition to technical beekeeping, hive building, and honey harvesting and marketing skills, there is a focus on developing entrepreneurship and leadership skills.
4-H Program Club
Northlands 4-H Club will provide an avenue by which we can connect urban children between the ages of 10 and 14 to the importance and relevance of food and agriculture. Northlands 4-H program gives urban youth life-long skills such as co-operation, leadership, interpersonal relations, critical thinking, decision making, organization, public speaking and community service.
Arts & Culture
K-Days Talent Search
The K-Days Talent Search program aids in the discovery of amateur talent throughout northern and central Alberta. Most importantly, it provides an opportunity for amateur artists to showcase their skills and talent before a live K-Days crowd and professional judges. The program allows youth the opportunity to perform in front of a crowd and shine the light on the young talent in the region.
Festival Support
Northlands provides value in kind and volunteer support to a number of festivals in Edmonton that enhance the community’s quality of life. These festivals include: Folkfest, Kaleido, Ice on Whyte, Byzantine Winter Festival.
Northlands Neighbours
Neighbouring community leagues, business associations, non-profit organizations and agencies such as Arts on Avenue and the Beverly Business Association are a part of the Northlands Neighbours family. Northlands supports more than 20,000 individuals living in bordering communities and assist their efforts in building vibrant, active and safe communities.
Military Appreciation
As a way of showing appreciation for the sacrifice the members of Canada’s Military make Northlands offers complimentary tickets to military members and their families to events such as K-Days. This is a small gesture of thanks and appreciation to the men and women of the Canadian Military for their efforts in keeping Canada, and her citizens, safe and secure.
Community Enrichment
Northlands Day of Sharing
Northlands full-time employees are provided the opportunity to spend one work day a year volunteering for a community-service organization of their choice.
Organizations supported through this program include:
- Donations to Edmonton Food Bank
- Concordia University Student Parking Bursary
- AMA Bike Safety Festival
- Kiwanis Club of Edmonton
- Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
- Byzantine Winter Festival
- United Way
Memory Making
Northlands invests time and resources to support its mission of “A place where cultural entertainment and sports experiences happen every day.” Partnering with like-minded organizations allows Northlands to reach children and youth that may not have the same opportunities as other children and provide them the opportunity to create memories of their own.
Kids Up Front
As part of Northlands’ community investment, tickets are donated to the many events held on Northlands’ campus to Kids Up Front Edmonton. Kids Up Front is a community service organization with a mission of making a difference, one ticket at a time. In 2018, Northlands helped create tomorrow’s memories every day by providing tickets and gate admission passes to events such as K-Days. Tickets provided by Northlands are distributed to numberous partner agencies and, in turn, are provided to children and their families who may not have been otherwise able to attend for a variety of reasons.
Monday Morning Magic at K-Days
In partnership with North American Midway Entertainment, Monday Morning Magic was created specifically for children ages three to 12 years with disabilities. On the Monday morning of K-Days, before the fair opens the doors to the public, the children are given the opportunity to enjoy the midway in a safe and controlled environment. Rides, a bagged lunch and entertainment ensure the morning is enjoyable for all. This free community event has put lasting smiles on the faces of children with disabilities for over 40 years.
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) Fire Evacuees
When the call came to Northlands on May 2, 2016, Northlands answered the call for help for the more than 90,000 evacuees fleeing the fires surrounding the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. For the time the Edmonton EXPO Centre was the evacuation centre for residents of RMWB Northlands provided approximately 57,000 meals and 2,400 beds to families in need.
Staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure those waiting for services were provided with a safe and secure location as well as working to create spaces for the children to play; adults to regroup and begin to put the pieces back together.