Local groups can now apply for financial support for the new Community Investment Grant Program.  

The Community Grant Program funds events, projects or capital expenditures that enhance and enrich the community and are delivered by local, registered non-profit organizations.

The new program replaces the former Civic Partnerships, Community Grants and Arts and Culture Endowment Fund. In a release, the Manager of the RancheHouse Event Centre, Kristie Bell outlines the new program.

"The new program, given the green light by Council last year, is designed to be equitable, sustainable, transparent and accountable — both for the organizations seeking funding support and for the Town to administer," explains Bell.

The Grants are broken down into three categories:

• Community Association Support Grant: Provides up to $500 annual assistance to support the cost of community. 

• Small Scale Events and Projects Matching Grant: Provides up to $2,500 to new organizations or existing eligible local non-profits while encouraging them to become self-sustainable.

• Large Scale Events and Projects Matching Grant: Provides up to $15,000 to eligible non-profit organizations while encouraging them to become self-sustainable.

The Events and Projects Matching Grants are open to local non-profit groups in the fields of arts, culture, heritage, social, recreation and environment, and the deadline for these applications is May 1. 

Applications for the Community Association Support Grants will continue to be accepted throughout the year.

All groups who receive funding will be required to provide detailed financial reports. The Town will use then use that information to explore additional opportunities to further support community building programs.