Not-for-profit organizations that provide important community services like search and rescue, mobile health and child care will benefit from capital project funding to buy and upgrade community facilities, infrastructure and equipment.

“Congratulations to these organizations that provide programs and services that have such an incredible impact on British Columbians,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “From construction of a new theatre, to upgrades that ensure the safety of our ice rinks, to mobile health units — these projects improve people’s lives in many ways.”

In 2018-19, the Province is providing $5 million in capital project grants. Examples of the projects funded this year include:

• $120,000 to the Terrace Curling Association for ice-plant replacement to ensure the safety of people using the community facility.
• $250,000 to the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association for construction of a new child care building.
• $19,000 to the Castlegar Society for Search & Rescue to purchase two snowmobiles to support its search and rescue efforts.
• $80,500 to the Dance Centre Society in Vancouver for a renovation to its dance floor.
• $175,000 to Hands in Service Canada in Kelowna to buy a mobile dental van to provide dental services to low-income clients in the Okanagan.
• $250,000 to the Shuswap Family Resource Centre in Salmon Arm to renovate and expand a new meeting space.

“Our services are inclusive for the community of Salmon Arm as a whole, so this grant is a game changer for our region,” said Patti Thurston, executive director of the Shuswap Family Resource Centre. “We were struggling to find funding, but the capital project grant allows us to expand our services, including more programing for youth, families, at-risk individuals, accessible mental-health services and the Indigenous community. Our community will be stronger thanks to this support.”

The capital projects program is part of the annual $140-million Community Gaming Grants program, supporting over 5,000 community organizations that deliver arts and culture, sport, environment, public safety, human and social services, and parent advisory councils.

“The capital project grant funding will have a significant positive impact on the 55 organizations that received funding this year,” said Rob Gloor, chair of the BC Association of Charitable Gaming. “This program acknowledges community needs and provides a long-term investment in the success of B.C.’s not-for-profit sector. We will surely see stronger programs, better services and strengthened communities as a result of this funding.”

View the full list of capital projects sector recipients here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Capital_Project_Grants_2018.pdf

Quick Facts:

• Eligible organizations can apply for gaming grant funding in the capital projects sector in addition to one of six sectors.
• The next round of the capital project program will be open from June 1 to July 31, 2019.
• Every year, commercial gambling generates revenue that the Government of B.C. invests in key services, including health care and education, and a wide array of organizations representing arts and culture groups, sport, environment, public safety, human and social services, and parent advisory councils that make life better for British Columbians.

Learn More:

For more information about capital projects sector grants, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/gambling-fundraising/gaming-grants/capital-project-grants