Help For Non-Profits With Their Gaming Grant Applications
Prince George, BC – For the volunteers who make up the majority of non-profit organizations in Prince George, it can often be a daunting task to jump through the hoops needed to get a gaming grant…
That’s where the Northern Interior Communities Association comes in – NICA represents 99 local non-profits and is hoping to encourage other local groups to join. Membership is free and the association’s main goal is to liaise between the non-profits and the provincial gaming enforcement branch – seeking answers to local questions, and passing on information on provincial policy changes.
With the grant application period for non-profits serving the human and social services sector – the largest sector of groups that apply – set to open on August first, NICA Coordinator, Rhonda Dickson, will host a free workshop for local groups who’d like an overview of the application process, and an opportunity to ask questions.
"With the majority of the non-profits, many of their volunteers tend to be an older demographic," she says. "So I find a lot of them aren’t quite as comfortable with all the paperwork that is required in applying for a gaming grant." Dickson says while there have not been any major policy changes – as was the case last year – there are more details within the guidelines this year that she’ll be highlighting for those attending the workshop.
For those unable to attend, Dickson can also review their application with them privately to ensure everything is in order. "There are some particulars in terms of their budgets and finances that need to be there," she says. "If they apply and it’s not done correctly, their application will be either rejected or denied and so they can appeal, but you only get one shot at an appeal and a lot of groups rely heavily on their gaming funds to provide their services."
The application workshop runs this Thursday evening between 7pm and 9pm at the Prince George Native Friendship Centre. Anyone planning to attend is asked to RSVP by calling 250-562-2553 or emailing coordinator@northernica.org
Comments
REmember the good old days, when the non profit organization use to have a bit more say in the bingo halls. Now that it is all run by the BC lotteries, they have totally forgotten about the grass roots people.
Shame, shame, shame on the government.
Yes, and i am a supporter of the Liberals, but this is wrong.
The way for the government to cut back the lottery grants is to make the regs so complicated that you need a lawyer to figure them out. This way the government can deny more grants because they do not follow the BS regs the government puts out. Just as a point of interest, how much has the government cut back on these grants in the past three years?
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