City of Red Deer moving ahead on Community Development Grant program
Red Deer council has approved a new Community Development Grant Council Policy, which would set a vision for a community grant program for Red Deer.
The new Community Development Grant Program will establish principles and funding themes to allow council to streamline grant distribution to better serve the community’s needs in the future. Funding themes will include social development, sport and recreation, art and culture, economic development and environmental initiatives.
“The city commonly grants funding for projects and programs to serve our community,” said Tricia Hercina, business excellence manager.
“The Community Development Grant Program will offer a more simplified, but structured process both for applicants and for council in deliberating funding requests.”
While current processes have been inconsistent amongst the grants in the past, the new program will be designed on a more principled, outcome-focused approach to ensure fair opportunity for interested applicants, the city explained.
Administration has been directed to fit any new grant programs into one of four funding streams:Innovation and Community Development Enhancement Project Grants will provide short term funding to support projects or programs responding to community needs.
Community Development Strategic Investment Grants will support programming in alignment with the city’s strategic goals and to promote Red Deer’s vibrant civic life to residents and visitors.
Community Development Service Delivery Grants will ensure that Red Deer has thriving, sustainable, and equitable services that have improved cost efficiency, expertise and capacity by being delivered by a community-based entity.
Emergency Community Development Operating Grants will cover unexpected financial crises for not-for-profit entities with an intent and a plan to attain sustainability beyond city funding.
Administration will focus on communicating with stakeholders and implementation of council’s policy in the coming months to prepare for full implementation of the new program within the next 24 months.
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