Grant and Funding Programs
Community Enrichment Grants
On May 1, 2012, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) announced $143,700 in grant funding to Whistler non-profit organizations and societies through the 2012 Community Enrichment Program (CEP). These grants are important tools that help the RMOW to work towards key strategy areas identified in Whistler2020, Whistler’s shared community vision and plan. Click here for the news release.
Whistler council awards financial grants annually to local non-profit organizations or societies that benefit the resort community. The amount provided to each selected organization varies, but represents a maximum of 50 per cent of their annual budget. Funding through this program is not approved for special events or for the rental of municipal facilities, which are already subsidized for non-profit organizations. Organizations receiving CEP grants must report back to council on the use of their funds by the end of the year.
The Community Enrichment Program has been created to support Whistler2020 - Moving toward a Sustainable Future.
Whistler2020 is a comprehensive sustainability plan describing what Whistler aspires to be in the year 2020 including values, sustainable principles, vision, priorities and directions that define success and sustainability for the resort. The Community Enrichment Program supports the plan by allowing community groups to bring forward and define their sustainable programs and explain how their initiatives help move Whistler toward a sustainable community.
2012 Recipients:
This year, 29 applications were received with a total of $323,494 in grant requests. One applicant received another source of funding early on and withdrew from the process, and the Mature Action Committee, indicated below, also withdrew from the process, after they confirmed receipt of other funding. This year, a total of $143,700 in grants was awarded to 27 separate programs or organizations. This amount is within the budget of $146,200 allocated for the CEP in the 2012-2016 Five-Year Financial Plan.
- Dance Whistler Association $2,000
- Get Bear Smart Society $5,000
- Howe Sound Women’s Centre – Children Who Witness Abuse $5,200
- Howe Sound Women’s Centre – Whistler Women’s Drop-in Centre $7,600
- Mature Action Committee $0*
- Myrtle Philip Parent Advisory Council $3,700
- Sea to Sky Community Services - Whistler Parent-Tot Drop-In $7,000
- Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council $3,000
- Whistler Naturalists Society $4,000
- Spring Creek Community School/Ecole La Passerelle $2,500
- Whistler Adaptive Sports Program $26,850
- The Point Artist Run Centre Society $1,500
- Whistler Writers Group (The Vicious Circle) $2,500
- Whistler Blackcomb Freestyle Ski Club $2,000
- Whistler Community Services Society $5,200
- Whistler Firefighter’s Association Extrication Team $2,250
- Whistler Gymnastics Club $4,000
- Whistler Minor Hockey Association $4,000
- Whistler Nordics Ski Club $10,000
- Whistler Off Road Cycling Association (WORCA) $15,000
- Whistler Sailing Association (WSA) $4,200
- Whistler Skating Club $3,500
- Whistler Valley Quilter’s Guild $300
- Whistler Waldorf School Society $4,500
- Whistler Youth Soccer Club $9,500
- Zero Ceiling Society $4,400
- Whistler Children’s Chorus $2,000
- Whistler Secondary School Scholarship $2,000
TOTAL AMOUNTS $143,700
* Funding received from alternate source for project
2012 Fee for Service Agreements
On April 3, 2012, Whistler council authorized the signing of 2012 fee for service agreements by the mayor and corporate officer with Whistler Animals Galore, Whistler Arts Council, Whistler Museum and Archives, and the Whistler Chamber of Commerce. The total amount, which will be awarded through the fee for service agreements for the 2012 calendar year is $856,800.
The RMOW provides financial assistance on an annual basis to not-for-profit community organizations and societies for services which they provide and are aligned with the priorities outlined in Whistler2020, Whistler’s shared community vision and plan.
For 2012, the Fee for Service contributions were allocated to the following organizations:
- Whistler Animals Galore (WAG) $60,000
- Whistler Arts Council* (WAC) $536,800
- Whistler Museum and Archives (Whistler Museum) $150,000
- Whistler Chamber of Commerce (Whistler Chamber) $110,000
2011 Budgeted Funds $856,800
Whistler Animals Galore
The municipality has an existing agreement with Whistler Animals Galore (WAG) to operate the animal shelter and provide pound keeping services in exchange for use of half of the shelter for kenneling animals in their care. WAG has been working closely with Mount Currie to assist with managing the dog over population as well as further developing their relationship with the Village of Pemberton who have made a financial contribution to them. Over the years WAG has also made strides to create partnerships and initiate a variety of fund raising activities to maximize their delivery of services.
An agreement exists between the RMOW and WAG for the period spanning July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012 and includes a revenue-sharing component: WAG receives 50 per cent of revenue from dog licenses that they sell, 25 per cent of impound fees, and all boarding fees for impounded animals. Funding beyond December 31, 2011 is subject to council authorization.
WAG applied for $60,000 in 2012.
Whistler Arts Council
The Whistler Arts Council (WAC) is a registered charity established in 1982 with a mandate to build and integrate arts into the fabric of the Whistler community. It advocates for the arts and local artists; provides the community access to the arts and vice versa; provides resources and information to the community, outside organizations and local artists by acting as a referral service, co-programmer and information network. WAC produces a number of festivals, events and programs throughout the year.
The development of Whistler’s arts and culture program is recognized as a key resort community priority and supports the delivery of RMOW’s Festival, Events and Animation program.
Through the RMOW’s acquisition of Maurice Young Millennium Place (MYMP) and the amalgamation of the Maurice Young Millennium Place Society (MYMPS) and Whistler Arts Council, WAC has assumed additional responsibilities associated with the operation of MYMP.
WAC applied for $544,300 in 2012 to deliver cultural programs and to operate Maurice Young Millennium Place.
Whistler Museum and Archive Society
The mandate of the Whistler Museum and Archives Society (WMAS) is to collect, preserve, document, and interpret mountain life for the benefit and enrichment of the public. The Museum’s vision is to become one of the leading institutions in the collection, preservation, documentation, and interpretation of mountain life. The Museum fulfills these objectives through the use of innovative exhibitions, educational programs, tours and multimedia projects, which collectively provide a cultural centre and learning forum.
The services, which the Whistler Museum and Archives Society provides, support the development of cultural tourism and are considered a resort community priority. WMAS applied for $150,000 this year.
Whistle Chamber of Commerce
The Whistler Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit voluntary organization of businesses and associations with a 40-year history in supporting local commerce and enhancing visitor experience. The Chamber has a membership of approximately 800 with a mission to maximize success for all businesses in Whistler by providing support, resources and tools. Their overall goals reinforce the position of the Chamber as a viable, credible organization, critically important to Whistler’s economic health.
WCC applied for $152,781 in 2012, including $110,000 to assist with the delivery of the Whistler Service Strategy, a program that promotes the positive interaction between employees and guests and has in past touched 5,300 employers and employees over the course of one year.
