Support Us

One-time Donations

The easiest way to donate is a simple, one-time cash donation through our website. Simply click the Donate button at the bottom of the page to begin! Any cash donation over $10 will receive a tax receipt and acknowledgement on the Donor and Sponsors page of WestWord magazine.

Recurring Donations

Monthly donations can be set up through Canada Helps; if you wish to arrange a scheduled monthly donation details can be found at the Canada Helps website.

Bursaries

Help a young writer attend one of our youth writing camps by donating to the camp bursary fund, or assist an Alberta author in attending our annual conference.

Corporate Sponsorship

Corporate sponsorships are especially vital to a number of our larger programs including the Alberta Literary Awards, Youth Programs, our Mentorship Program, and our AGM & Conference. Please contact us and we can discuss building your unique sponsorship package!

Endowment

If you are interested in helping keep the WGA alive and flourishing for years to come, we urge you to donate to our endowment fund. The creation of an endowment fund will be a vital step toward providing consistent and sustainable funding for the WGA. Please have a look at our information sheet about the fund for more information.

Kemosa Scholarship

The Kemosa Scholarship for First Nations, Metis and Inuit Mothers Who Write was launched  in 2017 to help aspiring writers focus on their creativity and find time to write, and to help give voice to Indigenous mothers who write. The Kemosa Scholarship awards 3-5 prizes annually. This year’s prize will award: 1st place $3000, 2nd place $2000, 3rd place $1000.

Legacy Gifts

Want to memorialize yourself or someone else who has a connection to writing or the writing community in Alberta? To discuss how you can set up a legacy gift please contact us.

Sharon Lynne Henderson Memorial Fund

This fund is created in memory of Sharon Henderson, (read more about Sharon here) in recognition of her life-long love of, and advocacy for, Canadian literature. Donations to this fund will be directed to a literary award in her name that will be presented in perpetuity, in support of young or emerging Alberta writers.

W.O. Mitchell Scholarship Fund

The W.O Mitchell Scholarship was created in memory of renowned Canadian author W.O. Mitchell to continue his literary legacy. Its goal is to aid aspiring writers in developing their distinctive voices and providing support for their creative journeys.

W.O. Mitchell was a multifaceted talent known for his impactful contributions to Canadian literature. Best remembered for the classic novel Who Has Seen the Wind and the iconic Jake and the Kid stories for radio, Mitchell’s commitment to regional storytelling paved the way for others to embrace their own cultural narratives.

A dedicated teacher, Mitchell invested time in nurturing new writers. He pioneered the “freefall” process in writing workshops and established the creative writing program at the Banff Centre. Numerous residencies and workshops demonstrated his commitment to mentoring emerging talents.

Mitchell’s later years saw him become a highly recognized public figure, performing readings and creating successful novels, solidifying him as one of Canada’s accomplished novelists. Mitchell received numerous awards, honorary degrees, and distinctions, including the Order of Canada.

W.O. Mitchell’s enduring legacy was the inspiration for the W.O. Mitchell Scholarship, dedicated to supporting new writers through mentorship programs and fostering a love for regional storytelling, echoing Mitchell’s own commitment to the literary landscape of Canada. The W.O. Mitchell Scholarship endowment fund has been established through the Edmonton Community Foundation to ensure writers will continue to be held up and supported by his legacy.

We intend for the fund to grow to support two Mentorship Program participants annually, a novelist and a playwright. We are grateful for the support of literary enthusiasts to continue W.O. Mitchell’s legacy.