Richmond community grants help local non-profits support residents

Richmond non-profit societies can once again apply for the city’s annual grant programs to help residents improve their quality of life.

Last year, over 60 grants were provided to local Richmond organizations to support community needs through various programs – a part of the city’s strategy to build an “active and thriving” Richmond.

The 2022 Richmond Community Grants are being offered under four categories – arts and culture; child care; social and safety; parks, recreation and community events.

An additional Community Environmental Enhancement Grant program, focusing on environmental initiatives, will be coming later this fall.

While funding for the grant programs is traditionally provided from gaming revenue, received from the Province of B.C.’s Host Local Government agreement, this year’s funding is provided from the B.C. COVID-19 Restart Program, according to Richmond city spokesperson Clay Adams.

“While some community organizations worked to find alternate funding sources during the pandemic, the city’s community grants program is still an essential component of their operational funding,” said Adams, adding that they do not expect "less interest in grant applications this year due to the lack of gaming revenue."

He told the Richmond News that the Richmond City Council supported a 2.5 per cent cost of living increase in the 2022 grants program in recognition of the “challenges and added costs many faced during the pandemic.”

“A primary focus for council is to be strategic in ensuring Richmond residents have access to the supports and services they need. One way of helping to achieve this goal is through annual grant programs that support the work of non-for-profit, community service organizations.”

Applications for the grants must be submitted online by Wednesday, October 20 at www.richmond.ca/citygrants