It remained an uncertain funding situation for The Lighthouse Serving the Battlefords as of the last week of April.
There had been various discussions behind the scenes over the last number of weeks to try and find a more permanent resolution to the ongoing funding woes of the organization, which has been struggling through a funding shortfall that hit last December.
Interim funding from Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs CDC had kept the doors open through the end of March. More funds raised from the Lighthouse’s Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser as well as a matching $25,000 from the City of North Battleford have kept it operating since then.
But the future was still in flux as noted in the monthly monitoring report to city council last Monday by community safety coordinator Herb Sutton. His report noted sustainable funding was still an issue.
“At time of writing, The Lighthouse cannot confirm that it has sustainable funding to continue to operate,” Sutton’s report stated.
Still, The Lighthouse has not thrown in the towel on efforts to seek any funds that might be available.
At the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce monthly board meeting on April 19, executive director Linda Machniak reported she had received email correspondence from Caitlin Glencross, manager of the North Battleford Lighthouse, requesting the Chamber’s support.
Machniak later had a meeting with Glencross. The concerns expressed were about “money, money and money,” Machniak said to directors.
What Glencross had requested was assistance from the Chamber to “advocate on their behalf,” said Machniak. There do appear to be some funding opportunities available, particularly at the federal level.
Machniak seemed willing to offer the chamber’s help, such as letters of support that might be required for funding applications. But Machniak also noted there was still a lot of work ahead.
