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Community Grant policy approved following numerous discussions

SportsGraphic
A variety of local groups are able to apply for funds from the Town of St. Paul, through its community grant fund.

ST. PAUL - After many discussions, changes, and considerations, Town of St. Paul council has approved a new Community Grant Funding Policy. The policy will help direct current council - and future councils - on how to divvy up funds to local groups.

The objective of the policy is to "establish a process for community halls, non-profit organizations, societies, and other civic groups that provide services to its residents to apply for grant funding and to ensure that grant requests are assessed and awarded in a consistent and equitable manner that maximizes the benefits for Town ratepayers," according to the policy.

On Feb. 22, the policy was presented to council, following earlier discussions at town council meetings and another discussion at the Feb. 10 Committee of the Whole meeting.

CAO Kim Heyman reminded council that the policy is meant to allocate funds that are already included in the budget. 

In 2019, the town budgeted $40,000 for community grants, but only spent $30,000, and adjusted the 2020 budget to $32,000. That number did not include the cost of town facility rental donations. The 2021 budget has yet to be finalized, but the mayor says she doesn't expect much movement on the amount budgeted.

The policy is broken up into a few sections, the first being 'operating grants.' According to the policy, operating grants can be applied for annually, and groups can apply for a percentage of their operating expenses to a total of $2,000.

"All applicants, regardless of size, will be tracked on an ongoing basis to ensure council is aware of how applications total as compared to the approved budget amount," reads the policy. 

Another section speaks to capital grants. Applications for capital funding must be submitted to council for all capital funding requests. And a maximum of $5,000 per project can be requested. The policy also states that groups can only make a request for capital funding once every three years.

"All funding requests from organizations must demonstrate a defined need that will benefit the citizens of the Town," reads the policy.

The policy also speaks to support for sporting activities. Funds may be available to qualifying individuals or teams representing the Town and/or County of St. Paul.

The definition of 'sport' was discussed a few times throughout recent meetings, with Coun. Nathan Taylor being adamant he wanted funds to go to physical activities, and not things such as Esports, which is defined as competition using video games. The Town's policy states sports are defined as: "an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment."

Three funding levels exist for sporting activities. The first level is for teams that advance to a provincial, national or international level, which is $500 worth of funding. Teams that host provincial, national or international competitions can receive $1,000; and individuals participating in an individual sport that have competed and qualified to advance to a provincial, national, or international competition will get $250. 

One newer piece added to the policy was that applications for funding or sporting events must be received by the Town no later than 30 days after an event takes place.

The last two categories relate to in-kind facility bookings and in-kind donations for auctions and other fundraisers. Town facilities cannot be booked for in-kind donations if the facility is already booked for another event, according to the policy.

When groups request donations for silent auctions or other fundraisers, they will now receive either a golf package, swimming pool passes, or gift cards from local businesses. 

"This should clear some red tape for us and those applying," said Mayor Maureen Miller, following approval of the policy on Feb. 22.


Janice Huser

About the Author: Janice Huser

Janice Huser has been with the St. Paul Journal since 2006. She is a graduate of the SAIT print media journalism program, is originally from St. Paul and has a passion for photography.
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