Grant funding approved for three, appeal declined for one

Three community groups will receive funding from City grants, after review of applications.

The Community Recreation, Art, Culture, and Heritage Investment (CRACH) Grant monthly applications continue to grow, with eight applications submitted last month, totaling a requested total of $41,500 in funding.

The CRACH grant has an annual budget of $250,000, of which $108,700 has already been distributed.

“The advisory committee for this grant has a very tough job,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “They go through all the applications, listen to delegations, and make recommendations to council based on the applicant’s asks, but also keeping in mind budgeting funds for the rest of the year.”

During the May 13 Council meeting, not only were current applications discussed, but also a previous application, which wrote a letter to council requesting an appeal on the amount of money granted to their organization.

“Sometimes we aren’t able to fund the entire ask for an organization,” said Copeland. “This is, again, where the Advisory Committee comes in to look over the applications carefully and make recommendations on how to distribute funding.”

The organization had applied for $10,000 in funding and was granted $2,000.

Their request for appeal came back stating they needed at least $6,000 in order to run the event. However, there is no appeal process for grant funding decisions made by council, so the request was declined.

“Opening up for appeals could have a domino effect,” said Copeland. “Many groups do not receive the full amount requested, which could be for a variety of reasons, so if we turn around and give extra funding to one of these applications, we would set a precedent that goes against our original decision.”

The final decision on funding distribution is made by City Council, and often based on the recommendations of the Advisory Committee. Of the eight applications made this round, three were approved:

• Cold Lake Figure Skating Club for $500 in support of venue rental.
• Cold Lake Motocross Association for $10,000 in support of upgrading the facility to host the Canadian Nationals Motocross event.
• Lakeland Motorcycle Ride for Dad for $2,500 in support of the Ride for Dad event.

Four of the other applications were either incomplete or did not meet the criteria for the grant.

The last application was brought forward to council directly, as the funding in the past has come from the Council Goodwill budget. Council voted to give $7,000 to the Bonnyville 4-H District/Ardmore 4H Beef Club to put toward the purchase of a market steer.

“This fundraiser comes back around to the community,” said Copeland. “The kids in 4-H purchase a cow, raise it, feed it, and prepare it for market. They learn about business, life cycles, and growth. Once it goes to market, that meat can come back to the food bank, John Howard Society, or similar avenues.”

More information on CRACH and other City grants can be found at www.coldlake.com/grants