Updated January 25, 2021

Community Grants Program

The District of Sooke offers a Community Grants Program to contribute funding to local non-profit organizations that contribute to the well-being of the community.

Related documents:

• Community Grant & Sponsorship Policy
• Application Form
• Final Report Form

Next application deadline: March 15, 2021

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Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be a not-for-profit organization (incorporated under Society Act of BC) or an unincorporated group with demonstrated objectives that are not-for-profit or charitable in nature and be located primarily within the District of Sooke or offer programs or events within the District of Sooke.

Applications must demonstrate a benefit to the District of Sooke community in one or more of the following areas:

• Sports and recreation
• Fine Arts and culture
• Heritage
• Public safety
• Community development, including promotion and economic development
• Community beautification
• Environmental sustainability

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Funding Limitations

Community grants may be awarded for any amount up to, but not exceeding $7,000 annually. A community grant exceeding $7,000 in any given year may only be awarded by a unanimous resolution of Council.

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Application Procedure

1. Review the Community Grant & Sponsorship Policy in full before applying
2. Submit your completed application form with any supporting information by the March 15, 2021 deadline. Applications can be received:
   1. By email to finance@sooke.ca with the subject COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION and the name of your organization
   2. In-person at the District of Sooke Municipal Hall, located at 2205 Otter Point Road (hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, excluding statutory holidays). As per current health orders, persons who enter the hall must be wearing a mask and complete a health declaration.
3. Community grant applicants will be invited to appear before Council to speak to their application. Each presentation will be limited to 5 minutes, not including Council questions for the applicant. A presentation to Council is not required for an application to be considered. All community grant decisions by Council are final and not subject to appeal.

Results of community grant applications will be made known to the public through the issuance of a press release, following approval by Council.

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Contact

Questions regarding the Community Grants Program can be directed to Finance at finance@sooke.ca or 250.642.1634

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Recipients

• 2021 application deadline: March 15, 2021. It is anticipated recipients will be announced by April 30, 2021.
• Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 community grants were not issued.

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Additional Historical Information

• Due to the unforeseen circumstances associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 community grants were not reviewed or distributed. The meeting minutes from the April 14th Council meeting can be viewed here.

• Council adopted a new  CO-003 Community Grant & Sponsorship Policy at the January 13, 2020, Regular Council meeting. 

  The changes are based on recommendations from the December 16, 2019 Committee of the Whole meeting. A staff report, including background information, can be viewed here: Staff Report December 16, 2019 Committee of the Whole – Policy CO-003 Community Grant & Sponsorship Policy 

  The newly adopted policy changes the application deadline to March 15, 2021. Other changes include an updated application form and final report template that can be found here: 

  • Application Form Community Grant & Sponsorship Policy CO-003
  • Final Report Community Grant & Sponsorship Policy CO-003