The Powell River Community Foundation is hoping to hand out $175,000 to charities and non-profits in the Powell River area.
The money is from the B.C. government for reducing poverty and fostering social inclusion.
Foundation President Dave Hodgins says the Community Prosperity Fund grants will really help area organizations.
“In Powell River, we have very few charities in town that can afford paid staff. We’re all run by volunteers…and we have no support when it comes to operational expenses,” Hodgins told Vista Radio.
“It not only includes project-based, it also includes office expenses or just general expenses to operate, so this is a big deal for Powell River,” Hodgins said.
“We have many small ones (charities) that are struggling. They do a great service for Powell River but this would give them a boost to do even more.”
Projects tackling poverty reduction or social inclusion would have to be completed over three years (through June 2027).
“Our community thrives on small charities and they do wonderful work in this town. So, getting this lump sum like this and being able to share it is a great plus for Powell River,” Hodgins explained.
Applications are being accepted for two more weeks on the Powell River Community Foundation website.
Hodgins said they’ve been “under the gun” to get this grant process completed as paperwork and criteria from the government didn’t come until three days before the application window opened.
After the June 24 deadline, submissions will be reviewed by a eight-member committee and selected by July 22 before the money is handed out in late August.
He noted this is the third major fund the foundation has been involved in, distributing a total of almost $750,000 to the region.
“It’s been huge.”
