There is $4,500 left in a pot of funds for non-profits in Hope, as the District of Hope has only received one application for a grant-in-aid.
The community choir has applied for $500 from the district’s grants-in-aid process. Given the few applicants, Mayor and council decided to keep $5,000 in total in the budget for any late applicants, which leaves $4,500 after the choir grant is subtracted.
“Due to COVID, we believe, and the fact that profit and non-profit activity has decreased significantly because of it, we only received one application,” said John Fortoloczky, chief administrative officer with the district. For example, the Fraser Canyon Hospice Society received a grant-in-aid for Camp Skylark but had to cancel the event and will be using their grant for 2021 instead.
According to the district’s website, applications for grants-in-aid for 2021 closed Oct. 15. However Mayor Peter Robb said the $4,500 should be held onto for any late submissions or changes due to COVID-19.
Grants-in-aid are available for local non-profits whose service works to “strengthen and enhance the well being” of the community and promote volunteerism. Organizations who provide financial assistance to clients, who duplicate services of government or service agencies or who are part of national fundraising campaigns are not eligible for grants-in-aid.
Three organizations are also included in the 2021 budget for grants-in-aid, over and above the $5,000. These are the Hope and District Arts Council, Hope Care Transit Society and Hope Crime Prevention Society, who each receive $5,000 in the budget for a total of $15,000.
In 2020, $9,800 worth of grants-in-aid was given out, in addition to $15,000 given to the three aforementioned organizations.
Applications are available on the district’s website (hope.ca)
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