FVRD says Grant-in-Aid Programs are vital to vibrant Fraser Valley communities

CHILLIWACK — The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) says the impact of its Grant-in-Aid programs are providing vital contributions to initiatives across the region.

Funding last year supported dozens of organizations ranging from the Fraser Valley Mountain Bikers Association to the Chilliwack Vedder River Cleanup Society.

In a news release Jason Lum, FVRD Board Chair, says the significance of the financial support is essential for both electoral areas and regional-based activities. “The community events, projects, and initiatives that may not otherwise be possible without this funding is benefiting communities across the region.”

The Fraser Valley Mountain Bikers Association received $13,640 in a grant to support a training program for volunteer trail building. Seven workshops were held over the fall, attracting 64 participants and resulting in 512 volunteer hours of caring for the trails.

Image: Trail building workshops saw volunteers contributing 512 hours of work. / Contributed by Fraser Valley Mountain Bikers Association

The Sunshine Valley Ratepayers Association west of Manning Park, used a $500 grant to repair community gardens that were badly damaged in recent flooding.

Image: Volunteers repair and raise garden beds to protect them from future floods. / Contributed by the Sunshine Valley Ratetaxpayers Association.

The goal of the Grant-in-Aid programs are to support a wide array of cultural, environmental, charitable, and recreational service activities, as well as special events. There are two distinct programs catering to not-for-profit organizations and community groups: the Electoral Area Grant-in-Aid and the Regional Grant-in-Aid.

The Electoral Area Grant-in-Aid targets non-profit community groups or individuals serving their specific electoral area, with funding determined through the budget process and requiring support from the Electoral Area Director and approval from the Board. Meanwhile, the Regional Grant-in-Aid supports projects with a region-wide impact, capped at $50,000 annually and integrated into the FVRD budget process.

The latest reports on the use of grant funds were provided to Directors at the recent FVRD meeting on April 25.