Parksville council approved $2,500 in fall grant-in-aid funds to five community organizations during its Oct. 7 meeting.
Friends of Foster Park, Mount Arrowsmith Pipe Band, Oceanside Minor Hockey Association, Parksville and District Historical Society and Parksville Community Garden Society will each receive $500.
A select committee comprised of the city's deputy corporate officer and councillors Mary Beil and Amit Gaur reviewed applications and provided recommendations for allocation of the fall funds.
Requests from Island Rescue Veterinary Society/Fantastic Beasts, Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce and Ravensong Aquatic Club were not approved by council.
Council reduced the annual budget for the program to $5,000 per year in February 2024 after it was increased to $10,000 per year in March 2023. Grant-in-Aid funds are given out twice a year in spring and fall.
Under the provisions of the city’s Grant-in-Aid Application policy, the city provides direct financial assistance to community groups and organizations for events and projects that will benefit residents and visitors.
The city's grant-in-aid policy requires all grant applications be forwarded to a Grant-in-Aid Select Committee for review and recommendation to council as to whether grants should be approved.
Council is not obligated to allocate all or any budgeted funds. In the event the budgeted funds are not fully allocated during the first annual submission, the remaining funds can be considered for allocation at the second annual submission date.
