At recent meetings the Society Board, which is responsible for making the funding decisions, approved two proposals, both in the Vanderhoof area and demonstrating widespread community support. Dave Merz, Board Chair, commented, " we are glad to be able to start funding worthwhile development initiatives and hope that we will go on to receive interesting proposals from all over our Fund area".
The Society will provide $1000 to the Vanderhoof District Chamber of Commerce towards the facilitation of a community workshop on proposal writings skills. The grant is contingent on the Chamber securing contributing funds from another source.
The other proposal sees $15,000 going to the Volunteer Regional Steering Committee for Touch Wood 2000, a forum which explores ways to aid and expand the value-added industry and provide educational opportunities for the young people of British Columbia. The Touch Wood 2000 forum will be held in Vanderhoof in May and already has contributing funds in place.
Vanderhoof is being very proactive these days" says Fiona Glass, Society Manager, " they have mobilized with community prioritizing sessions which really help our Board in their funding decisions. Given that we only have limited funds, we are encouraging all our communities in similar efforts. This way the Board knows that there is broad-based support for whatever is proposed."
Both projects will be funded out of the Society’s Economic Development Capacity program. Economic Development Capacity grants must be used to develop community and regional capacity to generate economic development. The Society’s other program is for Community grants which are for projects which improve the basic facilities, equipment, services or installations needed for growth, jobs, community stability and quality of life. The Fund area of focus for the Society is the Nechako Region and the lands traditionally used by the Haisla people.
Added Glass "There is no deadline for applications. The Society Board meets every second month and we’d like to keep them busy! I would encourage anyone working in community development to get busy writing proposals and looking for contributing funds. We are looking forward to hearing about positive ideas from all over our Fund area."
The Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society was incorporated in August 1999 to manage the programs supported by the Northern Development Fund, created jointly by the BC government and Alcan.
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Contact: Fiona Glass, Manager
1 877 478 FUND (3863)
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