It's time again to start thinking about how to improve your community. Last year's top winner came from Yorkton, bringing with the win a new skateboard park, what could be next?
The Aviva Community Fund is back for its fourth year and local residents again have the chance to win a share of the $1,000,000 Aviva Community Fund by submitting an idea for positive change.
This year there are a few changes.
All ideas that make it to the finals will receive at least $5,000.
A new At-Risk Youth Prize will provide up to $150,000 for an idea focused on prevention and intervention, targeting youth who are vulnerable to becoming homeless, running away or dropping out of school.
Improved integration of Facebook and mobile accessibility.
Shorter voting rounds.
Like in previous years, it's your job to raise awareness for your cause, earn donations from supporters, and collect votes for a chance to win!
Ideas can be submitted as of September 24, and voting begins on October 1. In the meantime, check out these outstanding ideas from previous years for inspiration:
Northern Lights Wildlife Society: The Northern Lights Wildlife Society is a volunteer based non-profit registered charity, dedicated to rehabilitating injured and/or orphaned juvenile wildlife back into the wild. For years, volunteers have been carrying buckets of water to the shelter to care for the bears.
A 2011 winner of the Aviva Community Fund, the group has successfully drilled to access running water at their rescued bear shelter, and they're building a new feeding kitchen and storage room. Thanks to funding from the Aviva Community Fund, this project is well on its way and the Northern Lights Wildlife Society is ready to care for many more rescued animals in 2012.
Yorkton Skateboard, Bike and Walking Park: In July of 2010, the City of Yorkton, Saskatchewan suffered a catastrophic flood that affected over one third of the city's residents, including many small businesses. In an attempt to revitalize the city's core and get people back in the area, the community rallied together to submit an idea for a new skate park to the Aviva Community Fund. In June of 2012, ground was broken and the Yorkton Skateboard, Bike and Walking Park is now close to completion.
A Lodge for Camp Triumph: A 2009 winner of the Aviva Community Fund, Camp Triumph is an adventure-based camp in P.E.I. designed to meet the complex needs of children in families impacted by a chronic illness. Winning a share of the Fund helped Camp Triumph build a lodge to provide programming space during inclement weather.
Got an idea you think is just as great? Want to share it with the world? Visit the Aviva website: avivacommunityfund.org and download the Competition Guidelines for everything you need to get the ball rolling.
