A total of 17 local non-profits will receive community grants next year, while seven others who applied have been denied funding.
Each year, community groups are invited to submit applications for community grants-in-aid from the city but not all make the cut. The city’s Community Partnership Committee evaluates the applications and grants are awarded based on city policy and what’s available in the budget.
Barry Watchorn, chair of the Community Partnership Committee, said the program exists to help non-profits stay afloat in the community.
“Council’s support of the Community Partnership Grant program has helped to develop a strong arts and cultural component to our community which has in turn enhanced the quality of life for our citizens,” Watchorn wrote in a report to council. “Again this year, it was apparent during presentations that the biggest challenge facing our local organizations is uncertainty and in some cases, cutbacks to provincial government funding.”
The committee recommended council award a total of $526,579 in community grants to the 17 groups which are listed below. That represents a decrease of $3,534 over 2013 grant monies. The committee received grant requests totalling $563,600 which is just short of the budget of $564,291.
Watchorn said after two full days of meetings, the committee recommended council deny seven requests.
The groups declined funding are: Museum at Campbell River (increase for capital expenditures)-$18,521; Shoreline Arts Society (maintenance of carvings)-$5,000; Campbell River Hospice Society-$5,000; Kitty Cat P.A.L.-$5,000; Newbark Canine Rescue and Rehoming Society-$5,000; Greenways Land Trust-$3,000; River City Arts Festival-$500.
Groups are denied funding if they do not fit the criteria of being a non-profit organization, open to the entire community, or based in Campbell River. Grant requests were also declined if the applicant already receives funding from another level of government or a government agency.
The following groups received grant funding for 2014, 2015 and 2016: Recreation and Culture Facility Rentals ($10,000); Museum ($170,479); Haig-Brown House ($43,200); Tidemark Theatre Society ($160,000); Campbell River Arts Council ($22,000); Salmon Festival Society ($20,000); Campbell River Search and Rescue ($9,500); Writer’s Festival Society ($2,000); Greenways Land Trust ($12,000); Citizens on Patrol ($3,000); and Community Fund Allocation ($10,000).
Receiving funding in 2014 are: Campbell River Art Gallery ($49,500); Shoreline Arts Society ($5,000); River City Arts Festival ($1,500); Twinning Society ($2,400); Rivercity Players Society ($5,000); and Volunteer Campbell River Good Deeds project ($1,000).