By Stephen Vance, Staff
Meaford’s community grant program will be revised in order to streamline the process, and ensure that organizations requesting funding meet established criteria.
At their October 13 meeting, council gave initial approval to adopt a revised policy that includes a new partner in the process.
“Discretionary funds set aside to support community groups via grants must be allocated in a fair and transparent manner, based on set criteria. The Community Grants Policy provides a clear framework that supports the Municipality of Meaford’s vision and strategic objectives as set by Council,” municipal staff told council in their report. “Staff also recommends that the Municipality of Meaford deliver the program in partnership with the Community Foundation Grey Bruce. Considerable staff and Council time is needed to review and administer these requests for funding, including the issuance of cheques and follow up reporting. The partnership will build on similar approaches in Ajax and Brantford, Ontario, as well as Kelowna and Penticton, British Columbia, to name a few.”
In recent years council has struggled with finding a balance between enforcing the previously established policy, and finding wiggle room for grant requests that don’t quite meet the criteria. At its meeting of May 25, of this year, council directed staff to review the community grant program and process in time for the 2016 budget process.
Staff told council that having the Community Foundation Grey Bruce administer the community grant program will be cost-effective.
“The Community Foundation Grey Bruce would charge a 5% administration fee for administering the community grants programs. This represents a cost of $2,500 as an administration fee,” staff told council. “The Foundation has a long track record in philanthropic and community initiatives. It is a well-respected organization and community builder. The Foundation will be able to administer the Community Grants program with a cost-effective approach, while ensuring that the Municipality of Meaford’s strategic aims are met in a fair, transparent and accountable manner.”
Councillor Tony Bell was opposed to the idea of turning over administration to an outside organization.
“By subbing this out, the money we are talking about is one half of one percentile. I feel very strongly that we have the ability to make the decisions, and I would like to see these groups come before council. I want to hear from them,” said Bell.
Meaford Clerk, Rob Tremblay defended the proposal to turn administration of the grant funding to the Community Foundation Grey Bruce stressing that it would be cost effective, fair, and transparent.
Deputy Mayor, Harley Greenfield supported the plan to have an outside organization administer the grant program suggesting that it would help eliminate conflicts of interest given that many members of council are active in several organizations which seek funding from the community grant program.
Council voted separately on the revision of the grant policy and the plan to partner with the Community Foundation Grey Bruce.
Council supported the plan to turn administration of the grant program over to the Community Foundation Grey Bruce with a narrow 4-3 vote. Councillors Keaveney, Bell, and Bartley voted against. Support for the revised community grant policy was unanimous.
There will be two opportunities for community groups to request funding each year – in April and in September. The annual budget – which will be reviewed each year by council – for the community grant program will be $50,000 in 2016. A minimum of 20 percent of the community grant budget will be reserved for the September intake.
While the administration of the grant program will be turned over to the Community Foundation Grey Bruce, council will continue to provide strategic guidance by setting the budget for grants each year.
