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Richmond South Centre MLA Henry Yao (second from left) was among the B.C. government officials gathered at Richmond Olympic Oval this morning to announce the latest round of Community Gaming Grants recipients, including the BC Wheelchair Sports Association.

Photo courtesy Government of B.C.

Gateway Theatre is among the Richmond recipients of this round of B.C. Community Gaming Grants.

Photo by Jaana Björk

B.C. non-profit grants improve arts, culture, sports access

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 11:21 PST, Thu December 8, 2022

Last Updated: 11:45 PST, Thu December 8, 2022

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Community grants for not-for-profit organizations in the Lower Mainland will help deliver services so people can be more active, creative, and culturally connected.

"People's lives are enhanced by the sports, arts, and cultural programming that not-for-profit organizations offer throughout British Columbia," said Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs. "Healthy, vibrant communities are key to a healthy, vibrant province and these grants are one way our government is helping people in communities thrive."

The B.C. government is supporting 392 not-for-profit organizations in the Lower Mainland that are focused on arts and culture—including 14 in Richmond—with more than $11.5 million in Community Gaming Grants. The funding will help people participate in a range of activities, such as theatre and music, as well as access cultural centres and museums.

Among the Richmond arts and culture organizations receiving funding are:

• Richmond Gateway Theatre Society ($87,000)

• Richmond Music School Society ($50,000)

• Steveston Historical Society ($13,800)

The province is also helping 353 not-for-profit organizations in the Lower Mainland that are dedicated to sports—including 24 in Richmond—with more than $16.7 million in Community Gaming Grants. The funding will help people participate in a variety of activities, such as soccer, swimming, hockey, gymnastics, or wheelchair sports.

Among the Richmond sports organizations receiving funding are:

• Richmond Jets Minor Hockey Association ($175,000)

• Connaught Skating Club ($90,000)

• Richmond Rapids Swim Club ($85,000)

Provincewide, 790 B.C. not-for-profit organizations focused on sports will receive nearly $28 million in Community Gaming Grants. Additionally, 717 not-for-profit organizations focused on arts and culture will receive more than $20 million in Community Gaming Grants.

The combined funding is part of $140 million distributed annually to not-for-profit organizations that deliver services and make life better for people throughout British Columbia.

Since 2017, Community Gaming Grants have annually supported programs that directly benefit British Columbians and their communities, helping more than 4,400 arts and culture sector not-for-profit organizations and more than 5,200 in the sport sector. Grants also fund human and social services, public safety and environmental conservation, as well as parent and district parent advisory councils in B.C. schools. Eligible organizations can apply for one of the six sectors of grants, as well as a capital-project grant.