Groups and organizations in Meadow Lake and communities across the north are reaping their just rewards. Recently the Government of Saskatchewan announced Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) provided nearly $1.7 million in charitable gaming grants in the first quarter of 2026-27, benefiting organizations in about 260 communities throughout the province. “We are proud to deliver another round of gaming grants to communities from all four corners of our great province,” Meadow Lake MLA and minister responsible for LGS Jeremy Harrison said. “These grants go to groups engaged in a diverse range of activities, including arts, culture and sport, hospital foundations, service clubs and more.”
Lung Saskatchewan is one of the grant recipients this quarter. Its mission includes education, support and programs that improve lung health. It advocates for people suffering with lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fi brosis, lung cancer and COVID-19. “The charitable gaming grant helps us deliver programs and services that improve lung health across Saskatchewan,” Lung Saskatchewan president and CEO Erin Kuan said. “We are grateful for this investment which supports our work to help people breathe easier. We are grateful for the support provided through the charitable gaming grants program. Funding like this strengthens our ability to reach more people.”
In addition to Lung Saskatchewan, charitable gaming grants went to about 1,000 charitable and nonprofit groups and organizations across the province. More than $139,000 was distributed to groups in Saskatoon, more than $164,000 went to groups in Regina while Meadow Lake and area received more than $60,000. Among the local recipients were: the Carpenter High School Spartans girls basketball program, which received $250; the Flying Dust First Nation Youth and Disabled Wish Foundation, which received $4,28.25; the Meadow Lake Curling Club, which received $5,926.48; Royal Canadian Legion Branch 76, which received $815.87; the Dorintosh Community Cooperative, which received $3,428.75; the Beaver River Agricultural 4H Club, which received $745.30; the Beaver River Wildlife Federation, which received $361.50; Ernie Studer School in Loon Lake’s school community council, which received $1,080.68; the Loon Lake and District Recreation Board, which received $322.50; and the Makwa 4H Beef Club, which received $3,938.65. “(Through its charitable gaming grant), Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan gives us 25 per cent of the profi t we make on whatever we register with them,” explained Royal Canadian Legion Branch 76 president Joanne Carter when interviewed following a previous round of grants. “For us, that means the sale of Nevada tickets, poker tournaments and from ticket sales for our bar fridge draws. Any money we make goes into our lottery account and is used as donations to other community organizations.”
Carter also commented at the time on the importance of the province’s charitable gaming grant as well as how critical it is for the Legion to be able to assist other local groups in need. “We very seldom turn anybody down for a (financial) request,” Carter said. “Even though we have our wing night fundraisers each week, we still get requests here and there from different organizations… These grants give us a little bit of money and help us to give back.” Other regions across the province that also received funding included Prince Albert and area (more than $82,000), Humboldt and area (more than $76,000), Weyburn, Estevan and area (more than $119,000), Melville and area (more than $65,000) and Swift Current and area (more than $60,000). In the northwest, the Ile-a-la Crosse Communications Society Inc. received $47,095.06, the Buffalo Narrows Broadcasting Corporation received $279.12, Twin Lakes Community School in Buffalo Narrows received $790 and CFCK Radio Inc. in Canoe Narrows received $1,048.75.
Quarterly charitable gaming grants are paid to groups and organizations in good standing that conduct licensed charitable gaming activities such as bingos, raffles, break-open ticket sales, Texas hold ‘em poker tournaments and Monte Carlo events. The grants are equal to 25 per cent of the net revenue raised by each charitable event, to a maximum of $100,000 per group or organization annually. The amount of each grant paid by LGS to each charity is calculated by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) based on financial reports and other information submitted by the group or organization.