The Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) is accepting applications for their Social Small Grants until July 28 at 3 p.m. The trust encourages those with project ideas that address complex social issues, support residents facing vulnerabilities, or strengthen social well being to apply for the program.
Since 2012, the CBT’s social grants have given $8 million to projects dedicated to improving the social prosperity of basin residents and communities. To qualify, projects must require $5,000 or less in funding. Expressions of interest for projects requiring more than $5,000 were due April 21, 2020.
“The trust encourages registered nonprofits, municipalities, First Nations organizations and regional districts to apply if they have a new project they would like to pilot or an existing project they would like to expand that helps members of the community who are experiencing poverty or barriers to quality of life,” said Kathleen Hart, communications coordinator for the CBT.
Various businesses may also be able to apply depending on their project and the scope of its community impact, however all projects must take place within the CBT’s region.
Three types of projects are able to receive the Social Small Grants, including quality of life projects, childhood development projects, and social sector capacity projects.
Quality of life projects are community based activities that better the standard of living, or enrich accessibility to social and community resources for basin residents facing poverty, barriers, or vulnerabilities. These projects may also increase social connections and inclusion for those experiencing, or at risk of experiencing social isolation. Such residents include members of the community with varying abilities, seniors, recent immigrants, children, youth, LGBTQ+, and visible minorities.
The childhood development projects apply to those seeking to expand or pilot initiatives addressing developmental needs in kids who have, or who are at risk of experiencing vulnerabilities. Such needs include those pertaining to fine or gross motor skills, socioemotional competence, cognitive abilities, and speech and language skills.
The final category, social sector capacity projects, are those creating collaborative initiatives addressing systemic social issues. Considered under this category are projects establishing shared services that address operational challenges within social sector nonprofits, while also improving the accessibility and standard of services for clients.
To apply for the grants, interested applicants can visit the CBT’s website to review the eligibility criteria and use the Small Grant Worksheet tool if needed. Those interested are encouraged to attend the virtual informational session held on June 17 at 3 p.m., or to email socialgrants@ourtrust.com to discuss project ideas. Successful applicants will be notified in September 2020.