Sixty non-profit organizations in 44 British Columbia communities have received funding support from EventHostBC. This Government of B.C. initiative was designed to encourage and support small-scale, volunteer-driven events that build community spirit, volunteer capacity and promote out-of-town visitation.

Within a total funding allocation of $250,000, grants up to $5,000 per event have now been awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible organizations. Almost $42,000 has been distributed to each of the six tourism regions: Cariboo-Chilcotin-Coast, Northern B.C., Kootenay-Rockies, Thompson-Okanagan, Vancouver Island and Vancouver-Coast-Mountains.

More than 400 applications were received, representing a wide variety of community-based activities including sporting events, festivals, theatrical and musical productions, celebrations of holidays, local landmarks, anniversary milestones, and events to raise awareness of specific causes.

For a complete list of all successful EventHostBC applicants, visit:  http://ow.ly/Rp8lo

Quotes:

Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and Minister Responsible for TransLink Peter Fassbender –

“Hosting events not only builds community pride and volunteerism, they are also good business for our province. Events attract visitors, bring important dollars into area businesses and create jobs. They also provide training for volunteers, create social and economic legacies and diversify economies. This return on investment, matched with B.C.’s long history of successful hosting and world-class amenities, makes event hosting an ideal way to boost tourism and economic development in the province.”

Jane Roberts, Bridge River Valley Community Association –

“This funding is huge to us. We have been really struggling to put on a summer event. This funding means that next year we can really take it somewhere and put Gold Bridge on the map. Among other things, we are planning a Vaudeville-like event and talent night so we’re hoping to get people who don’t normally become involved to come out and volunteer because it will be so much fun. This event will anchor our whole summer and hopefully draw people from Pemberton and Lillooet. We wouldn’t be able to do it without this funding.”

Quick Facts:

• EventHostBC was launched on May 8, 2015, in support of the Sport, Arts and Culture Provincial Hosting Program.
• EventHostBC was a one-time funding opportunity ($250,000) offered to encourage the development of volunteer capacity for event hosting within B.C. communities.
• Grants were awarded on a “first come, first served” basis and have now been distributed evenly across B.C. based on the six regional tourism districts.
• The initiative was to encourage events that would otherwise not be eligible through other provincial government funding.
• Eligible non-profit organizations were invited to apply for up to 75% of their event cost to a maximum of $5,000.

Learn More:

For full details on the EventHostBC program visit:  http://ow.ly/Rp93B