Council will be asked to approve a plan that would see the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen take over the administration of the City’s municipal and special events grant programs.
“Through collaboration with a foundation such as the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen, there is an opportunity to enhance the process and effectiveness for both applicants and the City by having a foundation administer the program on the City’s behalf,” writes Angela Campbell, director of finance and administration, in her report to Council.
The proposal, which would see staff work towards development of a Municipal Grant Operating Agreement with the Community Foundation, is in response to an earlier Council resolution to identify ways to improve the current system.
In the report, staff writes that an agreement would:
- Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the municipal grant program by having the Community Foundation administer the program on the City's behalf;
- Streamline the grant application process for applicants by aligning it with the administration of the City's endowment funds;
- Ensure strategic allocation of City funds to grant recipients through collaboration with the Community Foundation; and,
- Provide a more holistic evaluation and funding approach for organizations applying for grants both through the City and CFSOS.
Campbell notes that eligibility for grants would follow the same general framework as Council’s current policies including the funds being expended to organizations or events in Penticton and focusing on Arts, Culture & Heritage, Health, Safety & Social Services, Parks, Recreation & Sports and Community Events.
The full report can be found at www.penticton.ca/agendas
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