PEOPLE in B.C. will benefit from community support, arts and culture services, and support to find affordable housing, as the Province provides additional grants for non-profit organizations building healthier, more inclusive and stronger communities.
“The work done by our province’s non-profits reflects some of the most important ways British Columbians show up for each other in tough times,” said Premier David Eby. “That’s why our government is supporting non-profits, so they can support people struggling with challenges like global inflation, homelessness and addiction. We are committed to make sure British Columbians can count on their services for years to come.”
Eby announced $60 million to help non-profit organizations do their crucial work on Monday, October 30, which is being declared Non-Profit Recognition Day. The Vancouver Foundation will disperse the grants to eligible organizations.
Four separate types of organizations will be supported by this new funding: B.C.’s community foundations; large, multi-service “lighthouse organizations” with provincial or regional footprints; small local non-profits affected by the pandemic; and organizations run by and supporting people in the Indigenous, Black and people of colour (IBPOC) community.
“Non-profits are the face of social supports, poverty reduction, and community empowerment in B.C.,” said Megan Dykeman, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits. “Non-Profit Recognition Day is another key step in celebrating and supporting the non-profits that people in British Columbia rely on. We will continue to take action to create conditions for our partners to sustain and grow. Together, we can deliver better services.”
Non-profits have helped the B.C. government deliver its priorities, including delivering affordable and supportive housing, addressing homelessness, ensuring food security, and advancing Indigenous and racial justice. Fostering and maintaining strong partnerships with non-profits is an important part of the government’s mandate.
“As British Columbians face increasing economic challenges, this new funding will make a difference to charities and non-profits doing critical work that local communities count on,” said Kevin McCort, President and CEO, Vancouver Foundation. “We at Vancouver Foundation are grateful to the Government of B.C. for making charities and non-profits a priority.”
The announcement comes more than 18 months after the Province, in partnership with Vancouver Foundation, New Relationship Trust and the United Way, allocated $34 million for small community organizations hit by the pandemic. The funding, announced in 2022, went to more than 144 small non-profits.
Quick Facts:
* B.C. has more than 31,000 non-profit organizations employing about 335,000 people.
* Non-profits make an economic contribution of $28 billion to the province’s gross domestic product (GDP).
* Women make up 74% of employees in the non-profit sector.
Learn More:
To learn about Non-Profit Recognition Day, visit:Â www.bcnonprofitday.ca
To read about the $60-million grant, visit:Â https://www.
Stronger Community Services Fund Facts
The funding, to be distributed in partnership with Vancouver Foundation, will be allocated across four streams.
New streams:
* Community Prosperity Fund ($25 million): Grants to community foundations across B.C., for them to support organizations in their community.
* Lighthouse Organizations Fund ($22.9 million): Funding for large multi-service organizations with a provincial or regional footprint that support poverty reduction, have been most affected by rising service demand and were ineligible for funding last year due to their size.
Existing streams:
* Recovery and Resiliency grants ($7.1 million): Flexible multi-year funding of $72,000 per year to applicants who meet eligibility criteria in the 2022 Recovery and Resilience fund process, other than demonstrating a significant presence in the region where they function.
* LEVEL BIPOC grants ($5 million): Funding of up to $50,000 to BIPOC-led non-profits to cover costs that will contribute to their stability and capacity to advance racial equity and racial justice within their communities.
All grant recipients in the existing funding streams have already been contacted.
