Community groups looking for help to secure funding from the city of Coquitlam for a project or activity can attend one of two workshops this month or next.
The city is hosting the grant writing sessions on May 25 and June 22 to show local non-profit or charitable clubs how best to apply for a Spirit of Coquitlam grant or an Active grant.
Funding for the Spirit grants comes from the gaming money the city receives as host to the Boulevard Casino; since 2002, city council has awarded about $5.5 million in Spirit cash. Money for Active grants comes out of the city's general revenues; since it started in 2007, about $70,000 has been doled out to recreation groups that encourage children and youth to get more physically fit.
Last September, groups that were successful in getting Spirit grants included: Town Centre Field Sport User Group ($103,000 for a full matrix score clock at Percy Perry Stadium); Festival Planners' Network ($25,000 for the Coquitlam Passport Program); and Bramblewood elementary school PAC ($65,992 for new playground equipment).
Among the Active grant recipients were: Omega Gymnastics Academy ($4,200 for partnering with SD43 and PACs for a lunch-hour recreational gymnastics circuit for students); KidSport Tri-Cities ($5,000 for qualifying applicants from Coquitlam); and Pacificsport Aquasonics Synchronized Swimming Club ($5,000 for new Try It programs).
Wendy Wiederick, Coquitlam's community area manager, said the city hosted grant writing workshops last year "and they were very well received by the organizations who participated," she said, noting criteria for this year's annual grant programs include a section on sustaining the project or event after the initial funding.
As well, to be successful, groups must be able match the city grant and show how the project or event would directly benefit mostly Coquitlam residents. Grants will not be given for operating expenses or to pay for office equipment or team uniforms.
The deadline for the next round of grant applications is July 15. For more information, call 604-927-6963. To sign up for a workshop, visit coquitlam.ca.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
