Grant Writer Support Program Update

Grant Writer Support Program Update

Many communities from across central and northern BC have achieved great success with the Grant Writer Support program.  Since the program’s inception in 2007, thirty-six communities have utilized $451,500 in Northern Development grants to hire sixty-one grant writers for four months each.  These grant writers applied for a total of $27.9 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 dollar invested in the program, there is a potential of $62 to flow back to the community using the current program results that we have seen.

One highlight in 2009 was an April newspaper article published in the Vanderhoof Omineca Express issued by the District of Vanderhoof, announcing that thanks to Northern Development’s Grant Writer Support funding, Fiona Lamprecht had been contracted as the community’s grant writer dedicated to help community groups access funding for projects which increase the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the community.  The newspaper announced that Fiona would be available to assist community groups, clubs, and non-profit societies in Vanderhoof with funding research and grant writing services for community projects as well as providing her direct contact information.

Also in 2009, the District of Logan Lake advised the community has secured over $400,000 in grants based on a community investment of $5,000 in the grant writer position over the first two years Northern Development has offered Grant Writer Support funding.  Logan Lake’s grant writer, Charlene Vandean, stated, “For the past two years, I have been the Economic Development Officer for the District of Logan Lake.  Although community spirit drives the vision and success of many local projects, funding is a challenge when your town is so very small.  This is where the Grant Writing Support program has been a great partnership with Northern Development for our community, bringing thus far $400,000 of grant money into our township.  The successful grants have funded a vast array of projects including those in the arts, environmental rehabilitation, community building, infrastructure and tourism to name a few.    Here in Logan Lake, we have measured a 91% success rate with overall grant applications thus far”.

Starting in June 2009, the Grant Writer Support program was expanded to offer a total of $405,000 in funding each year on a first-come, first-served basis for fifty-four local governments and First Nations communities that hire a four month grant writer to write at least $200,000 in applications that will benefit community projects. All available 2009 spaces were secured by communities by early August, enabling all communities to recruit and secure a grant writer for a four month term before the end of the calendar year.  In 2009, the available spaces are comprised of twenty-four local governments, twenty-seven First Nations and three regional Districts.  Northern Development will begin accepting applications for 2010 starting January 4th, 2010.  Mark your calendars and apply early!  Northern Development anticipates the 2010 program will be fully subscribed much sooner in the year.

The communities that have secured Northern Development’s Grant Writer Support funding for 2009 are listed below.  Oganizations, clubs, or non-profit societies located in any of these communities should contact the local adminstrative office or Northern Development to get in touch with the grant writer who can provide you with assistance in researching or securing funding opportunities.

Webinar Contacts

Brodie Guy
Economic Development Manager
Northwest and Prince George regions
Northern Development Initiative Trust
brodie@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
250-561-2525

Dean McKinley
Economic Development Manager
Cariboo-Chilcotin/Lillooet and Northeast regions
Northern Development Initiative Trust
dean@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
250-561-2525