April 6, 2023 · 0 Comments
By JAMES MATTHEWS, LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER
Orangeville council needs to know the details about some applicants before grant money can be given to them.
Town council approved a number of community grant program applications when it met Apr. 3. But two groups in the community sowed trepidation given the amounts requested.
During Orangeville’s annual budget deliberations, council considers a budget amount for Community Grant Funding. Eligible organizations are required to submit an application outlining the need and uses for any funds requested.
Council approved $80,000 in the 2023 budget for the annual grant
program. Also approved was an additional $95,000 for community organizations requiring predictable funding over longer periods.
Grants approved as “one time” grants will be considered as part of the $80,000 bucket, while grants approved as “multi-year” will be considered as part of the $95,000 bucket.
The two grants some councillors were uncertain about were $10,000 for Elysian Festival Orangeville and $9,000 for a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) camp.
According to Elysian Festival Orangeville’s application, the funding will support equipment and rental fees. The two-day festival will promote meditation, yoga and personal/inner healing.
The STEM Camp money will be used, according to the application, to send disadvantaged children to camp. STEM camp is designed to inspire children to enter those areas of study and help solve labour shortages in those fields.
Councillor Debbie Sherwood said she’s in agreement with most of the grants awarded. But she has concerns about a couple of the applicants.
“One being the Elysian Festival Orangeville,” she said. “This is like one-eighth of our budget, and I would like to see these people here before us to give us a little bit more information.”
She also felt the $9,000 for the STEM Camp was somewhat steep.
“Those two organizations, to me, are unknown at all,” Sherwood said. “I think we need a clearer visual and be explained as to why they are requesting that type of funding.”
She suggested council support other grants awarded and ask the others to send delegations to council.
“This is a lot of money for a first-time ask,” Sherwood said.
Mandip Jhajj, the town’s deputy treasurer, said she could forward the grant applications to council for edification.
Coun. Andy Macintosh shared Sherwood’s trepidation.
“Not that I’m saying they don’t deserve it,” he said. “I would just like to know more about it.”
On Feb. 6, council tentatively approved a multi-year grant of $20,000 for
Family Transition Place. The grant will be for the current term of council and for 20 years in principle, subject to grant approval from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.
On Mar. 20, 2023, council approved a $300 one-time grant for the Dufferin County Multicultural Association.
The Bethell Hospice Foundation was approved for $5,000. Funding will contribute to the success of the Hike for Bethell Hospice. This event generates funds in support of grief and bereavement programs and services.
Hospice Dufferin was awarded $2,000 to help gain awareness of the organization through promotion of the Hike for Hospice event. Events are crucial in helping non-profits build their awareness in communities, as well as helping raise much-needed funds to keep programs and support available free of charge to residents.
The Rotary Club of Orangeville was given $15,000 to cover expenses for the 2023 Ribfest, permits, rental charges, and OPP security.
The Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival was pencilled in for $20,000 to be used to help a portion of the operating costs for the production of the 2023 Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival taking place Jun. 2-4.
The total amount requested, including the Family Transition Place and Out of the Cold grants, is $93,700. That’s below the approved combined budgeted amount of $175,000 for this program in 2023.