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B.C. Non-Profits Newsletter
Edition: Spring 2024
Message from Parliamentary Secretary Megan Dykeman
Welcome to my Spring non-profit newsletter!
You play an important part in putting people first and we are grateful for the difference you are making.
Over the last few years people across Canada have been struggling in many ways, and that’s why we count on you and the wonderful work that you do. It’s why we will continue to support the services people in B.C. need. B.C. Budget 2024 takes on the big challenges people are facing today by helping with everyday costs and is reflective of the work our government is doing with partners like you to help people who need it. On top of this work, earlier this Legislative Session Social Development and Poverty Reduction Minister Sheila Malcolmson introduced important amendments to anti-poverty legislation that will strengthen our efforts to lift people out of poverty.
Non-profits are vital to people and communities in this province, that’s why I’m excited about the development of a provincewide network, done through Vantage Point, to help you strengthen your potential and ability to advocate for the communities you serve.
Read on below for non-profit news, changes to the Lobbyist Transparency act based on your feedback, and more funding opportunities available to support the work you do in our communities across the province.
Megan Dykeman
Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits
Non-profits news
Lobbyist Transparency Act Changes
Based on your input, we are making changes to the Lobbyist Transparency Act this session. The changes will include:
- removing the requirement to report funding that is requested from a governmental body.
- reducing the reporting frequency for funding received from a government body from every month to no more than every three months, and
- clarifying reporting requirements for people who lobby with organizations as part of an informal group.
Renter’s Tax Credit
To help address the rising cost of living, our government is delivering the Renter’s Tax Credit of up to $400 per year that will benefit 80% of rental households in B.C.
B.C. Builds to help non-profits to become housing suppliers
BC Builds is a new initiative from the Ministry of Housing, designed to help deliver housing that’s within reach for middle-income people in partnership with non-profits, local governments and First Nations. Are you interested in learning how your non-profit can help deliver housing units to people? For more information on this exciting program, check out www.bcbuildshomes.ca.
Engagements help shape BC’s renewed approach to poverty reduction
The first “What We Heard” report, completed in 2023, was the result of hearing from more than 10,000 people from across the province, over 70% of whom have lived experience of poverty. In late spring through fall 2023, we held a separate, distinctions-based engagement with First Nations, Modern Treaty Nations, Métis, Inuit and Urban Indigenous people for “What We Heard – Engagement with Indigenous Peoples.”
Learn how to diversify your non-profit revenue
The Ministry has partnered with Scale Collaborative to offer an exclusive 25% discount on the Thriving Non-Profits self-paced program. This game-changing program will help you learn how to create greater financial stability and bring in new resources and partnerships to support your programs and teams. Click the above link or use code BCMIN at checkout.
Vancouver Foundation Community Prosperity Fund provides multi-year grants for charities and non-profits addressing poverty reduction and social inclusion. Applications will open in spring.
United Way BC’s Critical Food Infrastructure Grant has funding up to $100,000 for community-led food infrastructure projects across the province. Applications open April 8 until May 14.
Community Gaming Grants support delivery of ongoing programs and services that meet community needs. Applications for sports, arts and culture programs are open now, with other sectors opening later this year.
The B.C. Employer Training Grant provides up to $300,000 to employers to support skills training for their workforces, including prospective new hires.
BC Housing Indigenous Housing Fund is accepting proposals from non-profit Indigenous housing providers, First Nations and other Indigenous organizations for the Indigenous Housing Fund until May 15.
Celebrating the amazing work you do
Profiles
The story of Mike Pootlass shows incredible spirit and determination: “After my move from my hometown of Bella Coola to Vancouver, I was struggling with substance use and isolation,” said Mike Pootlass, whose life was transformed by a government-funded skills training program. “Thanks to help from the Lookout Ethical Employment Program, I was able to access quality counselling, skills training and employment. I found a job as a janitor at Lookout’s Jim Green supportive housing and have been working for over nine months now. Having the right supports and an opportunity to find my way towards employment has helped me to overcome intergenerational trauma, create a good life for myself and make contributions to my community.”
Stalew Arts and Cultural Society, based on the Kwantlen First Nation reserve in Fort Langley, works to empower Indigenous artists and helps rebuild Indigenous communities through opportunities in the arts, culture and language. Currently, the small organization is working to preserve the Indigenous languages spoken by the Kwantlen people and neighbouring groups along this part of the Fraser River.
