Project Summary N-110: Volunteer community improvement program

Project Summary: Volunteer community improvement program

Priority: Discretionary Public Engagement: Involve Project Number: 1-2-01200-350 CC120-05 Submitted by: Leanne Taylor, Director of Development Services Director: Leanne Taylor, Development Services

Executive Summary

Developing a Volunteer Community Improvement Grant Program was an approved non-core project in 2023. The purpose of this project is to develop a volunteer community improvement program to allow individuals or community groups to apply for grants with which to voluntarily undertake community-building and beautification projects within public spaces. A grant program, which would include an application process, and project and selection criteria, would be completed in-house. The Town’s Grant in Aid policy, the current grant opportunity available to registered non-profit organizations in the community, can be the base upon which this smaller grant program is built. The proposed budget for the program was to be $2,500 – originally conceived in 2023 as up to $250 each for approximately 10 projects.

Given the amount of staff time and resources required to deliver this program, the grant program was not launched in 2023. However, should Council wish to make this a priority non-core project in 2025, it is recommended that the grant amount be increased up to $500 per project (approximately 5 projects a year), partially due to cost of materials, and to make it meaningful and worthwhile for community groups to undertake community-building and beautification projects within the Town.

Business problem and opportunity

To allow individuals or community groups to apply for grants to voluntarily undertake community-building and beautification projects within public spaces. Eligible projects would be ones that do not require employee supervision or interfere with existing service contracts.

Proposed project objectives

Develop a volunteer community improvement grant program to be implemented in 2025 as a pilot project.

Business risks

This project will require substantial staff time and resources to manage on an annual basis. The Town may also be responsible for the maintenance costs of these projects that are constructed within public spaces (depending on the nature of the project), which has not been considered in the five-year cost/benefit analysis below.

Proposed sources of funding

Casino revenue

Costs and benefits

Costs	FY1	5-year Total
Capital	0	0
Operational	2,500	2,500
Total	2,500	2,500

Benefits
Tangible	Beautification and neighbourhood improvements
Intangible	Community-building

Recommendation

This project is added at the request of Council.