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Community Foundation applauds grant money distribution changes

Hundreds of non-profits in the Grande Prairie region will be getting potential grant money much quicker after the provincial government announced a change in payment methods.

Organizations will now receive grant funding via e-transfer, which could cut the average wait time down to about a week, from upwards of 100 days under the old system in which they were sent via paper cheque.

“When applications are submitted to different levels of government for support, there is always usually a waiting period because it takes time to process from the initial review to the execution of the payment,” says Community Foundation Northwest Alberta Executive Director Tracey Vavrek.

“By issuing the electronic payments, that will speed up the system in assisting organizations greatly,” she adds.

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Vavrek says sometimes the feeling of geographical isolation shared by not-for-profits in the region will decrease greatly, as they continue to work with the community with all the resources available to them.

“We have over 300 organizations just in the Grande Prairie area. They are providing services that are from helping to feed anyone in need, offering emergency supports to individuals. They are a necessity.”

Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism, and Status of Women Leela Aheer, who announced on Friday, says it simply makes sense to update and upgrade the ways the government does business with the non-profit sector.

“Alberta’s non-profit organizations are beacons of hope in our communities. Getting grant funding into the hands of our community organizations in a timely, efficient manner will help them hit the ground running in planning and carrying out projects that improve the lives of all Albertans.”

Vavrek adds the Community Foundation switched over to E-Transfers within the last couple of years.

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