Students throughout British Columbia are benefiting from enhanced extracurricular activities and a stronger school system with help from Community Gaming Grant funding for parent advisory councils (PACs) and district parent advisory councils (DPACs).

PAC funding supports a range of activities intended to enrich extracurricular experiences for K-12 students, such as student publications, societies and ceremonies; sports and playground equipment; and field trips, travel and transportation. Every year, gaming revenues generate hundreds of millions of dollars that government invests in key services, including health care and education, for citizens and communities throughout the province.

“Community Gaming Grants enable parent groups to fund priorities in their local school and district, such as playground and sports equipment, field trips and student clubs,” said Jen Mezei, BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) president. “Without Community Gaming Grants, many PACs would not be financially able to provide the extracurricular activities and school events that are integral to community involvement and engagement of students and their families. BCCPAC is grateful that the Community Gaming Grants program provides funding that helps provide equitable access for all students to participate in extracurricular activities that are not dependent on parent fundraising.”

“Parents are tremendous advocates for their children and I commend the advisory councils for pursuing projects that improve students’ experiences,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Our government is proud to support these programs that promote intellectual, social and physical well-being of our next generation and help set our children up for future success.”

For the 2017-18 school year, the Province is distributing $11 million in Community Gaming Grant funding to almost 1,400 PACs and DPACs throughout B.C. This funding is part of the $140 million that the Community Gaming Grants program provides annually to about 5,000 not-for-profit organizations.

“Parents play an essential role in making our schools a healthy and active hub for children to learn and succeed,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education. “These grants provide parent advisory councils with funding to support extracurricular activities and purchase items, such as sports equipment and musical instruments, to enhance students’ educational experience and support their development.”

Quick Facts:

• Through the Community Gaming Grant program, all public and independent school PACs are eligible to receive $20 per student annually. All DPACs are eligible to receive $2,500 each year.
• Eligible organizations can apply for gaming grant funding in one of the following six sectors: arts and culture; sport; environment; public safety; human and social services; and parent advisory councils/district parent advisory councils.
• The Community Gaming Grant program is accepting applications for the Human and Social Services sector until Nov. 30, 2017.
• The next intake for PACs/DPACs opens on April 1, 2018.
• To raise awareness of Community Gaming Grants and assist organizations apply, the Community Gaming Grants branch hosts outreach events throughout the province.
• Upcoming presentations will be held in Penticton on Oct. 25 and Cranbrook on Nov. 2, 2017.

Learn More:

To apply for a B.C. Community Gaming Grant, visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/gaminggrants