Rocky View County (RVC) is currently accepting applications for Community Recreation Funding Grants, for not-for-profit organizations seeking operating and capital funding for costs associated with building and enhancing recreation, community halls and other facilities located in the County.
“This is essentially funding that’s available to support community organizations in providing quality recreation throughout the county,” said RVC Community Development Co-ordinator Lindsay McCann. “It’s a great way for us to help support community development.”
According to McCann, the funding is available twice a year. The first group of applications, in March, is generally funding for programs – for kids, seniors, community groups, or sports teams. In October, RVC reviews a second group of applicants seeking funding for building or enhancing facilities like arenas or community halls.
Operational funding, McCann said, covers the ongoing costs of running a facility or program, such as program costs, utilities, and small capital items under $5,000. Capital funding includes expenditures created future benefits or a fixed asset like a trailer, building, furnace, or roof, including both interior and exterior upgrades to buildings and land, or a tangible item over $5,000.
“We’ve given funding to organizations like the Bragg Creek Snowbirds, Sharp Hill Preservation, Bow Valley Ag Society, Bearspaw Glendale Community Association and lots of other groups across the county,” McCann said. “All of the applications go through their district recreation boards and are funded through their reserves.”
Funding is distributed based on each application’s alignment with County strategic documents, project sustainability, and benefits to the community, said McCann. Depending on the amount of money available in reserve, she said certain requests are prioritized above others.
“The County encourages recreation, leisure and cultural opportunities that are accessible, promote diversity and maximize community use,” she said. “They need to be a community organization in the county, they need to be a not-for-profit group, and they need to demonstrate that it will benefit the community.”
McCann added that RVC generally sees between 60 to 80 applications each year, and tries to fund most of the requests. Further details regarding eligibility and application guidelines can be found in the County’s Community Recreation Funding Policy, which can be found on their website at rockyview.ca.
“I think we’ve been able to identify that residents in RVC really feel strongly about recreation,” McCann said. “They’ve indicated that it is a priority for them, and they want to fund it.”
Application forms and more information can be found on the Community Recreation Funding Grant page at rockyview.ca. Applications must be received by the County office no later than 4 p.m. on March 1.
