The Government of British Columbia approved $16.7 million in community gaming grants for arts and culture and $29.1 million for sport during 2013-14, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes said today.

For a full list of community gaming grants, including arts and sport, approved in 2013-14, visit: http://ow.ly/yCI7c

Arts and Culture

A great diversity of arts organizations in B.C. receive community gaming grants. Large or small, urban or rural, arts groups use gaming grant funds to enrich community life, inspire citizens and connect volunteers to local activities. In 2013-14, the Government of British Columbia funded 651 arts and culture community gaming grants.

Arts and culture gaming grant recipients in B.C. communities in 2013-14 include:

$200,000 - Children’s Arts Umbrella Association, Vancouver
$138,000 - Okanagan Symphony Society, Kelowna Branch
$100,000 - Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
$80,000 - Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra, Nanaimo
$75,000 - Pacific Ballet British Columbia Society, Vancouver
$55,000 - Salmon Arm Folk Society

Sport

B.C. community gaming grants play an important role enabling non-profit organizations to create outstanding opportunities for British Columbians to participate in sports. Recipients of sport gaming grants train athletes, coaches and officials. They manage teams, operate leagues and utilize community volunteers. In 2013-14, the Government of British Columbia funded 893 sports community gaming grants.

Sport gaming grant recipients in B.C. communities for 2013-14 include:

$250,000 - British Columbia Blind Sports and Recreation Association, Vancouver
$250,000 - Special Olympics British Columbia Society, Burnaby
$250,000 - British Columbia Soccer Association, Vancouver
$200,000 - BC School Sports, Burnaby
$172,000 - British Columbia Lacrosse Association, Burnaby
$160,000 - Swim B.C., Garibaldi Highlands
$155,000 - Gymnastics BC, Vancouver
$150,000 - BC Alpine Ski Association, Vancouver
$110,000 - Pacific Coast Swimmers and Parents Association, Victoria
$98,000 - Volleyball BC, Burnaby

Quote:

Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes -

“The Government of British Columbia provides significant support for programs that help keep communities strong in every region of the province. Community gaming grants are a great example.”

“Supported by stable, annual funding, these grants benefit thousands of local non-profit organizations throughout British Columbia. Gaming grants for arts, culture and sport build community spirit, while connecting volunteers, citizens and visitors with local events.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2012, Premier Christy Clark increased the annual base budget for community gaming grants by $15 million, from $120 million to $135 million per year into the future. Every year, over 5,000 local organizations representing virtually every community in British Columbia benefit from this funding.
• Eligible organizations apply to the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch for gaming grant funding distributed by sectors, including arts and culture, sport, environment, public safety, human and social services, parent advisory councils and district parent advisory councils.
• Gaming grants benefit an astonishing diversity of arts organizations active in the province’s largest cities and sparsely populated rural communities.

Learn More:

To apply for a B.C. community gaming grant, visit: https://www.gaming.gov.bc.ca/grants/index.htm

Check out the Government of British Columbia’s role in supporting sport, arts and culture through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677