The Columbia Basin Trust is increasing the amount of money in the Community Initiatives and Affected Areas programs by 15 per cent to more than $4 million for each of the next five years.
“We are pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with local governments and First Nations to identify local priorities and deliver benefits to Basin communities,” said Neil Muth, President and CEO, in a news release. “The ultimate goal is to support the projects that are important to residents, and we know this increase will help communities do more.”
The amount of money available across the basin is now $4.2 million, up from $3.6 million last year.
For Revelstoke, this means there will be $404,269 in funding to be given out to community groups. Last year, 49 community groups applied for $707,044 in funding, with $339,519 available.
“We are very pleased that CBT has decided to increase the funding for this program,” said Revelstoke Mayor Mark McKee in a news release. “Over the past 18 years, the program has provided significant support for many community projects that could not have proceeded without the funds provided by the Trust, and these projects have really benefitted our residents and improved their quality of life in many ways.”
The Community Initiatives and Affected Area programs have been in place since 1998 and are the Trust's longest running programs. The money is given to local governments throughout the Basin, who are then responsible for awarding it to various community groups.
It supports local non-profits ranging from Community Connections to the Revelstoke Cycling Association to the Legion to the Revelstoke Arts Council.
To learn more about the programs visit cbt.org/cipaap.