ERIN – Council here has granted $20,500 to local non-profits and volunteer organizations, and boosted the town’s long-running grants budget.
Consisting of the town’s mayor, staff and councillor Jamie Cheyne, the committee reviewed 21 applications for funding in March, including new applicants Erin Pride, Girl Guides of Canada, and Wellington County 4-H.
“All worthwhile projects and events,” town treasurer Wendy Parr, who sat on the committee, remarked at an April council meeting.
The total requested by the applicants was $42,650, but the town’s community grants budget is limited to $20,500.
Council carried the committee’s recommendation to distribute that amount to 19 recipients, including air cadets, sports organizations, service and gardening clubs, and several others.
“I would like to include a ‘thank you’ for our volunteers who make a real difference to the lives of people, animals and organizations,” Parr said.
Mayor Michael Dehn congratulated grant recipients.
Grants budget to increase
Last month, council also supported a small increase to the town’s grant budget, to $30,000 from $20,500, starting in 2025.
The move was spurred by councillor Jamie Cheyne, who asked staff to report back on the feasibility of an increase. It had been years since the budget was set, Cheyne said.
The town’s grant policy last saw revisions in 2013, 2015, 2018 and 2021.
“As we grow as a community, I think this budget needs to increase,” Cheyne said, calling for a regular review of the amount budgeted.
“We had $42,650 in applications this time around, and only $20,[500] to satisfy them, so moving this up to $30,000 in my mind is a no-brainer,” said councillor John Brennan.
Councillor Cathy Aylard said Cheyne had her “total support.”
The increase was formally approved at an April 25 council meeting, along with a community grants policy revamp presented by Parr.
“Finance took this opportunity to review, revamp, improve, clarify and update guidelines,” Parr told council.
The treasurer said the policy has been expanded and includes a requirement of applicants to report back to the town on how the grant dollars were spent.
The maximum a single applicant is eligible to receive in a single year remains set at $3,000, and eligibility criteria is unchanged.
