Grande Prairie non-profit groups looking to work together to make a difference could get some financial help to do so.
The city, in partnership with Family and Community Supports Services, will be offering a $72,000 grant over a year to help one set of groups make a change.
“It’s a way to encourage organizations and groups to change the way that they are working together now so that there’s always more than one person or one set of eyes looking at the issues that they are working towards,” says Community Development Coordinator Tammy Wentzell.
The grant is available for local organizations, groups and businesses who want to work together to address things like poverty, homelessness or family violence. Wentzell says they are looking for people to go beyond creating new programs.
“We’re actually asking people to think larger than just programs. We are asking people to be innovative. We are very flexible with the funding at this point so we’re looking to the community and the organizations for ideas on what they could see that they could do that could make big changes around some of our community outcomes.”
In order to be eligible for the grant, at least two groups must submit a joint application as single organization applications will not be accepted. At least one of the groups must be a non-profit that operates in the city and they must focus on one specific issue like homelessness or addiction.
People wanting to know more about the process are encouraged to go to the city’s information session being held at 1:30 p.m. on July 31st at Community Social Development on 102 Avenue.
Groups interested in applying for the grant can submit their application online before 2 p.m. on September 5th.