Proposed RDNO operating grants total over $750K, with $42K new funding

Feb 21, 2024 | 5:00 PM

Five local organizations are seeking additional financial aid from local government.

A report to the Regional District of North Okanagan Board of Directors stated the Arts Council of the North Okanagan, Vernon Public Art Gallery, Allan Brooks Nature Centre, Gallery Vertigo, and BGC Okanagan all requested additional funding for 2024.

The funding requested by the groups totals over $750,000.

The Arts Council requested a grant of $251,730 ($4,935 more than the previous year). The report stated the additional money would be used for increased staffing costs and the hiring of a new part-time communication assistant.

The Public Art Gallery requested a grant of $239,115 (up $6,965 annually), with the additional funds to be used to address staffing costs relating to both wage increases and benefits.

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Gallery Vertigo requested it’s 10-year funding agreement stay flat at $20,000, but that an additional $10,000 be provided in 2024 to account for an increase in lease fees for the gallery’s new home.

Allan Brooks, which does not have a multi-year funding agreement with the RDNO, requested $20,000 in funding, which it received the previous three years, plus an additional $10,000 to cover staffing costs for the educational programs.

The report the Regional District does not have a multi-year funding agreement with the BGC (formerly the Boys and Girls Club), but the board had tentatively approved an additional $4,400 in annual funding, bringing the increase up to five per cent, or $11,000 for the year. If approved, the operating grant would be $220,000 for the year.

All together, the increases amount to a total of $42,900 from the previous year’s grants.

Should the Board wish to support the increases, it was recommended that the funding be provided by an offsetting reduction in the transfer to the Greater Vernon Cultural Facilities Reserve, which was budgeted at $210,240 in the 2024 Financial Plan for the Greater Vernon Cultural Service.

It was recommended the grant totals be increased, and that the RDNO enter into a multi-year agreements with all the organizations receiving funding. The matter will be discussed at the Board of Directors meeting Wednesday, Feb. 21.

by Liam Verster

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