Salvation Army joins Community Enhancement Grant listings, as Council outlines its distribution plans for 2021

The City has plans to place
fundraising thermometer
similar to one above, that in
aid towards capital project
fundraising for the
Salvation Army in Prince Rupert 

Prince Rupert City Council has made its final decision on funding levels for their Community Enhancement Grant program, and their final deliberations mirrored the recommendations of the City's Finance Office, with no change to the recommended level of funding that we made note of on Monday morning.

As we outlined at the start of the week the total amount of funding that has been requested by all of the Grant applicants and through funding by agreements is $1,500,000. 

That amount includes an increase in requests for funding of 32,000 dollars for existing applicants.

"Given the current COVID-19 pandemic uncertainty this years recommendation from staff takes into account the need for flexibility, specifically with respect to cash awards. Staff has identified that a freeze in the amount awarded for 2020-21 applicants is warranted given the uncertainty and have provided specific recommendations to Council attached to the report as made. It is expected currently that there won't be an increase in taxes to provide the grants that have been recommended" -- City of Prince Rupert CFO Corinne Bomben

This year's request list also featured a $95,000  grant request from the Salvation Army a new applicant, as well as requests from repeat applicants who previously did not find success in gaining funding.

In addition to the Salvation Army, the two other new grant applicants are the Prince Rupert Amateur Swim Club and the Change Makers Education Society, the total request for funding from all three comes to $126,500.

At Monday's council Session, Ms. Bomben noted that The Salvation Army request for $95,000 was towards its $900,000 capital improvement plans that they have for their Grenville Court location, 

The city received an application this year from the Salvation Army with respect to a Capital renovation project, whereby their food bank service on Fraser Street would be integrated into their Grenville Court location. We've included part of their request in our recommendation but not the full amount given the size of the request and the uncertainty heading into 2021. 

However we believe we can help raise the difference between the recommendation and the request. Staff suggests placing a fundraising thermometer on City Hall to bring awareness to the project and provide our citizens the opportunity to contribute with us towards the fulfilment of the request.

The Northern Savings Credit Union has offered to fund the thermometer as a part of the fundraising effort, anyone wishing to donate can do so at City Hall so we can recognize the milestones the community reaches as we climb the fundraising thermometer together -- City of Prince Rupert CFO Corinne Bomben explaining the recommended approach towards the Salvation Army request  for funding

The $15,000 in grant funding from the City proposed for the Salvation Army is the only amount listed for the three New or repeat applicants for 2021.

The Prince Rupert Public Library which has a funding agreement with the City will receive $693,000 for its operations in 2021

When it comes to other current funding by agreement recipients the recommendations of the Finance Office are as follows:

Museum of Northern BC -- $167,230
Prince Rupert Performing Arts Centre Society -- $144,200
Prince Rupert Golf Society -- $220,000
SPCA - Prince Rupert Branch -- $28,000
Prince Rupert Racquet Association -- $9,500

The recommended amount of funding proposed for the 
five organizations with agreements in place with the city
(click to enlarge)

The full breakdown of Ms. Bomben's recommendations for all of the Community Enhancement Grant applicants can be explored below.

The recommended amount of funding proposed for all of the 2021 
Community Enhancement Grant applicants
(click to enlarge)

Towards discussion on the topic, Mayor Brain expressed his thanks to the CFO for her work on the Salvation Army request, noting how the request was similar to one that was provided to the Hospice Society, which was also a capital project. 

"I certainly appreciate the ability here to try to accommodate the Salvation Army, I think last year we gave a grant, although it was a new application to the Hospice Society. It was because it's a one time capital type of event, same thing with the Salvation Arm. And that's great that you guys have been proactive and talked to the Credit Union cause I think that's a great idea to raise the rest of the funds." -- Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain

Councillor Niesh made note of the challenges that COVID has provided to the city, also paid his tribute to the work of the City's Financial Office and the recommendations from them towards the Enhancement Grant program.

"I think we're kind of in a unique position compared to a lot of communities that we're actually kind of holding the line on tax increases and during COVID we're actually projecting to not be too bad off, but we will find out more for our next budget. I think for now, as presented I am in agreeance that's the way we should proceed"  -- Councillor Niesh

The themes explored by Ms. Bomben in her report can be reviewed below:

You can view Ms. Bomben's report to Council and the discussion that followed from the City's Video Archive starting at the two minute mark.

For more notes on Monday's Council session see our Council Timeline here, as well as through our Council Session archive page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.