Council approves allocation of MSI operating grants

City council approved the allocation of Municipal Sustainability Initiative operating grants totalling $26,700 to seven community organizations July 3.

Camrose NeighborAid Center and Camrose and District Seniors' Information Society will each received $5,000, while the Family Violence Action Society and Camrose Women's Shelter Society will each receive $4,100.

About Time Productions Association will receive $3,600, Camrose and District Victim Services will receive $2,900 and Camrose Spirals Jump Rope Club will receive $2,000.

The MSI operating grant committee reviewed 15 grant applications June 27 totalling $119,750. Information taken into consideration by the committee in making a decision to recommend the organization for funding included whether or not the organization receives other funding from the City, whether or not it has received an operating grant in the past two years, whether or not the project supports long term sustainability, whether or not it meets an identified local need, whether or not the funding request was for a one-time project, whether or not the project is sustainable in future years, the impact on city residents, and local, provincial and federal affiliations.

The committee used a judgment process to determine the amount of grant funds that should be allocated to each organization.

Council also decided to review the overall approach to funding all non-profit organizations in relation to the City's annual budget process.

"We receive requests for funding in the fall and distribute this money as well," said councillor Max Lindstrand. "It would seem to make sense that we fold this into one process rather than have two different sets of applications."

Councillor Daryl Shillington said the earlier the organizations have their funding approved the earlier they can finalize their budgets for the year.

Members of the MSI operating grant committee were councillors Lindstrand, Blatz and Wood.