Communities throughout the Northwest are reaping a share of 251 Community Initiatives Fund grants totaling $3,329,680 announced this week.
CIF programs support locally-led projects that enhance the capacity for development, inclusion, leadership and vitality in all Saskatchewan communities.
In the Battlefords the CIF is providing funding for a wide range of projects and initiatives.
The Town of Battleford has qualified for a $20,000 small capital grant to used in the conservation and restoration of the Opera House. Other small capital grants awarded are: Village of Borden, $10,000 for hall upgrades; Leask Library/Museum tea room project, $25,000; Neilburg Community Hall, $6,600 for foundation repair; City of North Battleford, $20,000, tennis courts; RM of Paynton, $30,000, repair of Paynton Recreation Complex roof; Spiritwood Area Recreation Culture and Sport Inc., $5,000 for ball diamond upgrades; Turtleford Community School SCC playground initiative, $20,000; Town of Unity, $15,000 for accessible community centre elevator; Unity Community Resource Centre, $30,000.
Battlefords entities have also been approved in the Community Grant Program category. The Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre receives $4,827 for two boys' groups while the Boys and Girls Club have accessed a $25,000 grant for evening programming. Battlefords Family Health Centre also receives $25,000 for healthy living programs. Strides to Better Health operated by Prairie North Health Region gets $10,200.
Unity agencies are also benefitting from the Community Grant program, with two Heartland Health Region Community Inclusive Support Services social groups receiving a combined grant of $25,000.
In the Pride Projects and Events category the Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford Reunion and History Book Committee has been granted $14,730. The City of North Battleford gets a $15,000 boost for centennial celebrations.
Connaught Community School is also celebrating a centennial and has been granted $2,388.
In the surrounding area grants go to St. Michael's Catholic Church, Krydor, $750 for 100th anniversary celebrations and the RM of Medstead Centenary Committee, $15,375.
A CIF press release says 117 Community Grant Program grants totalling $1,592,017 support the health and well-being of Saskatchewan's vulnerable children, youth and families. Grants through its Community Vitality Program total $1,654,978 for 131 small capital projects and celebrations of community pride and diversity. One grant through each of the Physical Activity Grant Program and the Problem Gambling Prevention Program total $57,685. An additional Youth Leadership grant adds $25,000 more to CIF's overall contribution to Saskatchewan residents' quality of life, the release states.
There are two CIF grant application deadlines each year: April 1 and Oct. 1.
CIF's Community Vitality Program has been extended an additional year for 2013, and locally-led community projects through the Physical Activity Grant Program are now eligible.
CIF's Community Grant Program is being broadened to include projects that support urban aboriginal people and youth leadership. This program is well aligned to support the well-being of children, youth, family and community, and for community inclusiveness and engagement. To increase the ease and accessibility to its grant programs, an online application process will soon be introduced on the CIF website, www.cifsask.org .
"Saskatchewan community needs are always at the core of our (CIF) programming," says Tracey Mann, executive director of the CIF. "By fine-tuning our programs we can now respond even more directly to current needs and contribute to great projects that benefit Saskatchewan residents and support the hard work and dedication of community nonprofits and volunteer agencies."
The CIF is a Special Purpose Fund created through The Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Act and governed by a volunteer board appointed through the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.
A complete list of grant recipients and more information about the Community Initiatives Fund are available at: www.cifsask.org .
