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City of Williams Lake updates grants program

Williams Lake is hoping to make the application process for grants a bit more straightforward for applicants and their staff.
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Williams Lake has updated its city's grant program.

The city of Williams Lake is streamlining its Community Grants Program in an effort to simplify the process, for both applicants and city staff.

At its July 16 regular meeting, council approved a new Community Grants Program policy.

The program is now an amalgamated one which combines the previous Grants-in-Aid (GIA) and Event Hosting Grant program policies into one process.

The Community Grants Program provides small grants to support local registered non-profit organizations for projects, activities and events to strengthen and enhance the well-being of the community, promote volunteerism and support the goals and strategic priorities of the city.

The new program combines previous annual budgets of $35,000 for GIA and $5,000 for Event Hosting Grants for a total of up to $40,000 to be awarded annually. Up to $35,000 may be awarded as part of the primary intake. The deadline for applications is Sept. 30 of the year prior to funding being issued. Any remaining funds will be allocated as part of the year-long intake until fully disbursed.

The policy also includes new provisions, noting a maximum of $5,000 may be awarded to any one applicant in a calendar year to ensure as many organizations as possible benefit from the Community Grants Program each year.

In addition, grants of up to $500 may be considered for unregistered non-profit organizations or groups, which will allow for more flexibility when considering applications.

“Being able to support a greater number of community applicants is a benefit to our community,” said Mayor Surinderpal Rathor.

“We look forward to working with this new policy for the 2025 grant awards and will conduct a one-year review next spring to see if there are even more improvements that can be made.”

More information on the city’s Community Grants Program, including the application form and policy, can be found at: www.williamslake.ca/1032/City-Grant-Programs.

Questions, or requests for printed or e-mailed copies of the application form or policy, can be directed to the Corporate Services Department by emailing corporateservices@williamslake.ca or calling 250-392-1774/1773.

JOINT APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS – CENTRAL CARIBOO CHILCOTIN

Applications submitted to the city’s Community Grants Program and the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) Grants for Assistance Program for Central Cariboo Chilcotin Areas D, E, F, J and K, respectively, by the Sept. 30 deadline will be reviewed jointly to assess regional benefit of each and determine grant awards.

The CRD’s Grants for Assistance application form is available on the CRD’s website at: https://www.cariboord.ca/en/regional-government/grants-for-assistance.aspx. Questions on the CRD’s Grants for Assistance Program may be submitted to grantwriter@cariboord.ca.



Ruth Lloyd

About the Author: Ruth Lloyd

I moved back to my hometown of Williams Lake after living away and joined the amazing team at the Williams Lake Tribune in 2021.
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