Sechelt council recently approved a new separate three-year standing grant agreement with five non-profit organizations operating within its district.
At its April 19 meeting, council authorized Police Based Victim Services of the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society (SCCSS) to receive $39,454 this year, $40,244 next year and $41,048 in 2019.
The SCCSS’s Youth Outreach program will receive $25,521 each year for 2017-19, as approved at council’s April 3 meeting.
At the same meeting, council agreed that the Restorative Justice Program of the Sunshine Coast will receive $10,000, Sunshine Coast Arts Council $8,000, and the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts $5,000 each year for 2017-19.
Standing grants have been part of Sechelt’s Community Investment Program (CIP) since 2014, but no agreements were put in place until this year, Siobhan Smith, Sechelt’s arts, culture and communications coordinator, told Coast Reporter.
“Once an agreement is in place, there is no longer a requirement to apply for a grant for the duration of that agreement,” she said. “However, to ensure accountability, they must still comply with the eligibility requirements of the CIP grant program, including submitting final reports and financial information.”
These grant agreements are aimed to provide more financial sustainability and efficiency for eligible non-profit groups with few paid staff, Smith said.
Previously, Police Based Victim Services received $23,626 in 2014, $23,773 in 2015 and $28,681 in 2016.
The Youth Outreach program received $22,725 in 2014 and 2015, and $23,157 in 2016. The Restorative Justice program received $10,000 in each of these three years.
The Sunshine Coast Arts Council received $5,147 in 2014, $6,000 in 2015 and $8,000 in 2016. The Festival of the Written Arts received $2,000 in 2014 and $5,000 in each of the following two years.
