Photo By Claire McCormack
Meaford’s committee of the whole is approving an update to the community bursary program.
During a meeting on Sept. 12, a report was brought forward by Director of Community Services and Clerk Matt Smith. It recommended the committee of the whole recommend council enact a by-law to update the program.
The report says the program, established in 2019, provides funding to community groups and not-for-profit organizations which offer programs, services and events in the municipality.
The proposed program would replace the current one and target programs, services and events that impact community safety, health and well-being.
The current program sees council receive applications for approval and during the 2019 to 2022 cycle, council has awarded $47,500 of the budgeted $50,000 per year.
In 2021, the well-being plan identified updating the award criteria for the program to enhance focus on organizations and projects which specifically improve community well-being.
If council adopts the new program, applications for bursaries will be evaluated based on the proposed activity’s contributions to community safety and well-being, and if its aligned with one or more priority areas of focus established in the well-being plan.
Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney asks if the evaluation process should also include financial need of the organization.
“Regardless of the health of the organization financially, we should be looking at how well they can provide the service to the community. If our investment will allow people to go ahead and do something more, and their long history and their financial stability probably means they are in a better place to do that, then I think that could be a real positive thing,” says Smith.
The $40,000 from the current bursary budget would be used to fund the new program, with the remaining $10,000 going towards economic development initiatives.
Mayor Barb Clumpus says the bursary allows the municipality to assist various organizations.
“It gives us an opportunity to be very inclusive from large organizations that are well funded, and those smaller ones that this money really helps,” says Clumpus.
The program cycle will be advertised early next year.