Close to $295,000 was dispersed to different societies, clubs and event organizers on Monday as Mission council finalized its list of recipients for community enhancement and events grants as well as fee-for-service contracts.
Each year the district gives money to non-profit organizations that provide services or enhance the community.
“Looking at the list as a whole, I am amazed by how much support the district provides our non-profit organizations,” said Coun. Pam Alexis. “I think it is somewhat unique to Mission that we do, to such extent, provide funding for non-profits.”
Council has asked staff to examine the process used to determine who receives grants and how much is awarded, as well as trying to simplify the process, which Coun. Danny Plecas called “awkward.”
One possible improvement is to provide funding over a period of years, rather than having to go through the process every January.
Creating a task force to examine possible improvements has been recommended.
Groups receiving a portion of the $71,650 in community enhancement grants:
- Big Brothers/ Sisters of the Fraser Valley, $3,000;
- Communitas Supportive Care Society, $1,200;
- Fraser Valley Mountain Bike Association, $4,000;
- Greater Vancouver Youth Unlimited, $8,000;
- Hope Central (New Heights Church), $9,000;
- Joy Vox Community Choir Society, $500;
- Mission Alano Club, $2,000;
- Mission Artists Association, $500;
- Mission City Boxing Association, $2,000;
- Mission City Farmers Market Society, $3,000;
- Mission Community Services Society, $8,000;
- Mission Daycare Society, $6,000;
- Mission Friends of the Library, $1,000;
- Mission Friendship Centre Society, $2,000;
- Mission Genealogy Club, $450;
- Mission Hospice Society, $1,500;
- Mission Minor Lacrosse Club, $1,000;
- Mission Racers Speed Skating Club, $1,000;
- Opening Nite Theatre Society, $4,500;
- Optimist Club of Mission, $3,000;
- Serenata Singers, $500;
- Silverhill Hall Association, $4,000;
- Special Olympics BC, Mission, $2,000;
- Valley Singers, $500; q Mission Horse Club, $3,000.
Groups receiving a portion of the $19,800 in community event grants:
- Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival Society, $3,000;
- Mission Association for Community Living, $ 5,000;
- Mission Elks Lodge of Canada #30, $1,000;
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 57, $5,000;
- Mission and District Soapbox Derby Association, $4,200; and
- Mission Seniors’ Centre Association, $1,600.
Groups receiving a portion of the $203,538 in fee for service contracts:
- Adopt-A-Block, $35,000;
- Fraser Valley Humane Society, $30,000;
- Lifetime Learning Centre Society, $9,000;
- Mission Arts, Council $28,500;
- Mission Association for Seniors Housing, $3,000;
- Mission District Historical Society, $80,000
- Mission Downtown Business Association, $10,900;
- Mission Search and Rescue, $4,737; and
- New Horizons Lawn Bowling Society, $2,401.