More funding for local charities
The United Way NWT has expanded its community investment program following a recent surge in financial donations
James Goldie
Northern News Services
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknife charities have access to more cash than ever before thanks to one agency's changes to its annual community investment program.
Bertha Taylor and Kleinberg Hernandez enjoying Folk on the Rocks this year, thanks to funding the Yellowknife Association for Community Living received from United Way NWT. - photo courtesy of Lynn Elkin
|
United Way NWT is piloting a multi-year funding option for at least one territorial non-profit organization. The recipient will receive up to $45,000 over three years -- a welcome opportunity according to some past recipients, who say the change addresses a perennial problem faced by non-profits.
"It allows us to plan," said Lynn Elkin, executive director of the Yellowknife Association for Community Living.
On any given year her organization, which supports those with intellectual disabilities and their families, relies on 20 to 24 different funding agreements, most of which must be renewed on an annual basis.
"It's really nice to have some continuity to provide a service or support and not having to say you had it this year but next year we have to pull the (plug)," she said. "These are people's lives that we're dealing with. They're not really projects. They don't just happen over three months and then go away."
According to Jacq Brasseur, United Way NWT campaign coordinator, the decision to try a new, expanded form of financial support came after a boost in donations, which allowed the United Way NWT to increase its budget for community funding from $90,000 to $150,000.
"That's kind of a huge jump for us, and I think what that told us is we have the capacity to do more and invest more in our communities but also that the need was there," said Brasseur.
United Way NWT is also increasing the cap on its one-year grants from $5,000 to $7,500. The organization offers "unrestricted funding," which means it tries to reduce conditions or restraints on applicant charities. United Way NWT requires that charities use the funding on projects or services related to one of its three focus areas: poverty alleviation, health or children/youth services.
"For us, so long as it fits within our three focus areas, our committee is open to funding any project that really shows a need," said Brasseur.
Alayna Ward, director of community relations at the YWCA Yellowknife, said the flexibility goes a long way for her organization, which has received grants from the United Way in the past.
"(Last year) we were able to get funding for a boys summer camp but also something that's completely different in our Turn Up the Heat homelessness campaign," she said. "Two very different things. There aren't a lot of organizations that would give you that kind of freedom."
Brasseur urged as many groups to apply as possible.
"We try to make our applications as simple as possible so that organizations that don't really have the manpower -- don't have the expertise in filling out grant applications or funding applications -- are accessible to them."
The United Way NWT's deadline for community investment applications is Dec. 1.
