Whereas each year charitable groups and non-profit organizations in municipalities are challenged with finding enough funding to provide services and programs integral to the health of every community; And whereas since the provincial government changed the Community Charitable Gaming Program from multiyear grants to a single year grant in 2010, the gaming program has demonstrated a shift towards inflexible policies, a reduction in gaming revenue, sectors removed and then reinstated after public pressure, with discretionary funding; And whereas the reduction and elimination of this funding has impacted the ability of non-profit organizations to deliver services that contribute to the economic viability, sustainability and cultural fabric of our communities; And whereas if community programming is viewed as a priority to the educational, cultural, recreational, environment, public safety and social wellbeing of every British Columbian, then Government of BC spending priorities need to include a gaming program with funding that is both sustainable and enhanced; And whereas the Charitable Gaming Program cannot and should not exist without charities and communities being the priority behind the program as it would otherwise fail in its mandate and its historical promise: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Government of BC to form a committee to provide for the restoration of the Community Charitable Gaming Grant program and grants to the funding levels of 20082009, re-implement a 3-year grant funding model for stability of programming and provide a proportional share of the gaming revenues to community organizations so that as revenues increase, gaming grant funding increases proportionately.
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Government recognizes the tremendous work that not-for-profit groups accomplish in their communities. In 201718 the Community Gaming Grants program budget will be increased by 5 million, for an annual total of 140 million. The Community Gaming Grants program provides access to funding for not for-profit organizations that deliver approved programs in their communities. Eligible organizations belong to one of the following six sectors: arts and culture; sport; environment; public safety; human and social services; and parent advisory councilsdistrict parent advisory councils. As community gaming grants are not intended to be used for organizations core funding, applications are considered on an annual basis. However, the streamlined short form process was implemented in 2012 to enable returning applicants to take advantage of a less onerous application process requiring fewer supporting documents and less time to complete. The short form can be used for two years following a regular application. Ministry staff are continuously engaging with key stakeholders and partner organizations, including the BC Association of Charitable Gaming and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, to ascertain the most important policy issues relating to the program. In October 2016 the Ministry hired a Manager, Community Outreach. This new position is dedicated to building relationships with key stakeholders and providing in-depth customer support to grant applicants. The Manager, Community Outreachs role is also to obtain feedback from, and communicate ideas to, the organizations served to ensure that any externally-facing program changes appropriately align with the needs and issues of communities. As the program is such an important source of funding for not-for-profit organizations representing virtually every community in British Columbia, any decisions relating to policy changes must be considered very carefully. Ministry staff are working hard to ensure that the appropriate research and information gathering is completed in order to inform any future policy decisions relating to the program.