PRINCE GEORGE, BC – Northern Development’s popular Grant Writing Support program is already fully subscribed for the 2010 year. “The Grant Writing Support program ensures that communities and First Nations will be able to hire a grant writer to access programs and dollars from any funding source to provide needed investments in community infrastructure and services,” stated Northern Development Chair Evan Saugstad. “This program has consistently produced the highest return on investment of any program offered by Northern Development.” The program will re-open in January of 2011.
Grants of $7,500 are made available each year on a first come, first serve basis for communities and First Nations that spend an additional $2,500 to hire a four month grant writer in the local area to write at least $200,000 in applications that will benefit community projects. Over the past three years since the beginning of the program in 2007, eighty-one communities utilized $451,500 in Northern Development funding to hire one hundred and twenty-seven grant writers for four months each. These grant writers applied for a total of $25.2 million in grants for small communities.
Communities are achieving success rates of up to 91% in terms of grant applications made to the provincial and federal governments, charitable organizations, and other funders. For every $1 invested in the program, there is a potential of $62 to flow back to the community using the current program results that have been reported.
A program highlight in 2009 was the success of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako. “With funding assistance from Northern Development, our grant writing team of Corrine Swenson and Lana Fitt were able to secure over $1.2 million in funding to support forty-four rural projects within our region,” said Gail Chapman, Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako Administrator.
The Nazko First Nation also utilized the program with a high degree of success. “Through Northern Development’s Grant Writing Support program, grants applications were submitted for several community projects and initiatives in 2009,” said Brenda Gardiner, Director, Nazko First Nation. “We have received approval for over $250,000 in funding for these projects so far and have an additional $300,000 in applications pending approval.”
In 2010, Northern Development partnered with the New Relationship Trust to further expand the program to First Nations communities throughout British Columbia. The New Relationship Trust is providing an additional $250,000, which complements Northern Development’s annual $405,000 in program funding, resulting in seventy grant writing positions being approved within the Northern Development region and an additional fifteen First Nations positions approved throughout the remainder of the province.
The Ashcroft Indian Band is already reporting a high degree of success in 2010. “The Ashcroft Indian Band is very appreciative of the funding provided by Northern Development through the 2010 Grant Writing Support program,” stated Ellen Torng, Community Economic Development Manager. “So far in 2010, we have applied for fifteen grants and received funding confirmation for twelve grants totalling over $1.2 million dollars with three grant applications awaiting funding decisions which could result in an extra $200,000 for community projects and initiatives.”
These grant writers will be supported by Northern Development staff and will have access to the on-demand webinar focused on best practices for securing grant funding located on the organization’s website.
This forty-two minute webinar is a streaming on-demand video that provides:
- An overview of Northern Development funding programs
- How to access and apply to our programs for economic development projects
- Using our process as an example: Tips for succeeding with other project funders
- Examples of how to structure a table of funding sources, project budget, project performance measures, and more
- Tips and suggestions for proposal writing to any grant making organization
- Other funding resources available
The communities and First Nations that have secured Northern Development’s Grant Writing Support funding for 2010 are listed below. Organizations, clubs, or non-profit societies located in any of these communities should contact the local administrative office or Northern Development to get in touch with the grant writer who can provide you with assistance in researching or securing funding opportunities.
Communities and First Nations Within Northern Development’s Region:
• Cariboo Regional District
• Village of Burns Lake
• Kitsumkalum First Nation
• City of Dawson Creek
• Village of Cache Creek
• McLeod Lake Indian Band
• City of Fort St. John
• Village of Clinton
• Moricetown Band
• City of Prince Rupert
• Village of Granisle
• Nak’azdli Band Council
• City of Terrace
• Village of Hazelton
• Nee Tahi Buhn First Nation
• City of Williams Lake
• Village of Lytton
• Nisga’a Lisms Government
• District of 100 Mile House
• ?Esdilagh (Alexandria) First Nation
• Old Massett Village Council
• District of Chetwynd
• Ashcroft Indian Band
• Prophet River First Nation
• District of Fort St. James
• Bonaparte Indian Band
• Saik’uz First Nations
• District of Houston
• Canim Lake Band
• Skidegate Band Council
• District of Hudson’s Hope
• Cayoose Creek Band
• Stellat’en First Nation
• District of Kitimat
• Cook’s Ferry Indian Band
• Takla Lake First Nation
• District of Logan Lake
• Daylu Dena Council
• T’it’q’et Administration
• District of Mackenzie
• Doig River First Nation
• Tl’etiqox-t’in Government Office
• District of Port Edward
• Esketemc First Nation
• Tsay Keh Dene Band
• District of Stewart
• Gitanmaax Band
• Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation
• District of Taylor
• Gitanyow Band Council
• Ulkatcho First Nations
• District of Tumbler Ridge
• Gitsegukla Economic Development Society
• West Moberly First Nations
• District of Vanderhoof
• Halfway River First Nation
• Wet’suwet’en First Nation
• Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako
• Heiltsuk Nation
• Williams Lake Indian Band
• Regional District of Fraser-Fort George
• Xaxli’p Indian Band
• Thompson-Nicola Regional District
• Kitamaat Village Council
• Xeni Gwet’in First Nation Government
• Town of Smithers
• Village of Queen Charlotte
• Office of the Wet’suwet’en
• Kitselas First Nation
• Kispiox Band Council
First Nations cCommunities Throughout the Rest of BC:
• Hupacasath First Nation
• N’Quatqua First Nation
• Snuneymuxw First Nation
• In-SHUCK-ch Nation
• Scowlitz First Nation
• Splatsin (Spallumcheen) First Nation
• Kamloops Indian Band
• Seabird Island Band
• Tseshaht First Nation
• Katzie First Nation
• Shxwha:y Village
• T’Sou-ke First Nation
• Nooaitch Indian Band
• Simpcw First Nation
• Upper Nicola Band
Media Contact:
Janine North
Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: 250.561.2525
Email: info@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
About Northern Development Initiative Trust
Northern Development Initiative Trust is an independent regional economic development corporation, originally funded by the Province of British Columbia, and is focused on stimulating economic growth and job creation in central and northern British Columbia. Over $97 million in funding has been committed to 613 projects with a total project value of over $889.2 million.
To learn more about Northern Development Initiative Trust, visit:
