The City of Delta has opened its first intake for grant applications under the new Delta Community Grants Funding policy.
The intake closes on Jan. 15, 2025 for qualifying organizations to apply for grants of $10,000 or less. The city manager has been authorized by council to approve grants.
The city’s 2024 Financial Plan set aside up to $150,000 for the program and, while the first full intake has begun, open to community groups to apply, several grant requests have already been approved since the last update to council this year.
Earlier this year, council endorsed the new policy, aimed at having a more formal application process and guidelines for community grant funding requests made to the city, assisting staff and council by streamlining requests and providing guidance to organizations seeking funds.
The city has been providing financial support to various organizations through fee for service agreements, as well as permissive tax exemptions to support qualifying organizations by exempting land and/or improvements from municipal property taxation. The city has also been providing facility use at below-market rent to various organizations including preschools. Other grants include community festival grants, facility rental fee waivers and other funding requests from community groups.
A staff report noted that total financial assistance in 2023 was $3.5 million, with fees for service approximately $1 million of that amount.
However, each year there are more requests for community support, but there are limits to the city’s ability to provide support in a fair and equitable manner without substantial increases in taxes, the report notes.
The new program mainly focuses on request for grants that do not fit under the categories of fees for service, permissive tax exemption or facility licenses/use.
Organizations applying for Delta Community Grants Funding must be based in Delta and/or be proposing a community service, program, initiative or event that primarily serves Delta residents, as well as not receive other support from the city.
Grants that are approved must not be considered as ongoing annual sources of funding, the report notes, adding alternative funding sources must be identified and pursued and any unused funds from the program must be returned. The maximum to be given to an eligible organization is $10,000.
A decision by the city manager to not approve a grant can be reconsidered by council if requested by an applicant.
