Non-profits that have suffered because of the pandemic are eligible for one-time grants of $1,000 from the Town of Gibsons.
Councillors approved the new grant stream – which they’ve called the Community COVID-19 Relief Fund – in January, using $25,000 of the town’s $1.5 million in COVID-19 safe restart funding.
The funding is available to not-for-profits that support vulnerable people, according a Jan. 28 release announcing the program.
At a Jan. 19 council meeting, staff listed about 20 organizations, including Gibsons churches, recreation clubs, the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society, the library and other groups as “potentially eligible” for the funds.
“While there are strict parameters on the how money may be spent, there is a provision for issuing funds to local not-for-profits that provide services for vulnerable people, such as those living with disabilities, mental illness or addictions,” said Mayor Bill Beamish.
“Council has earmarked a total of $25,000 for groups such as these and we invite eligible organizations to submit a grant application.”
The relief fund has been structured similarly to the town’s Grants of Assistance program, so groups can identity eligible expenses and submit an application for consideration, which will be administered by town staff.
All applicants will be contacted once recipients are identified and applications will be reviewed in the order they are received.
Applications can be found at https://gibsons.ca/community/community-resources/safe-restart-grant/
