Sixteen local non-profit programs receive Sask. lottery grant funding

Local non-profit organizations will soon be getting some funding from the city.

Through the Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant Program a total of  $81,000 will be given to non-profits in Lloydminster.

The grant is funded by Sask. Sport Inc., Sask. Culture Inc. and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association Inc. Money is given to the city based on the population on the  Saskatchewan side of the city.

Non-profits that offer programs with a sport, recreation or culture focus are qualified to receive funding from this grant. Mayor Gerald Aalbers says there are several requirements they must meet before being accepted for the funding.

“It depends on the merits of the projects weighted against the requirements set by the government of Saskatchewan through the lottery money that comes in.”

The city saw an increase in applications this year with 22 applications at a total cost of over $177,000. Last year, the city received 17 requests for a total of $137,000. Aalbers understands why they’ve had an increase in applications but the city needs to balance the needs of the community with the resources the city is given.

“Fundraising is not an easy process in the community we know that. It doesn’t matter which group you look to, they are all fundraising because their costs have gone up but grants, corporate support and donations are down and you look at every opportunity.”

The Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Advisory Committee went through all 22 submissions to make sure they met the requirements. Councillor Aaron Buckingham is a part of that committee and says they do their best to ensure the money goes to the right place.

“It’s difficult when you see those things and you can’t help everybody but they have to meet the allocation process and all the requirements that go with it. The committee did their best to fund the things that met those requirements and all for the betterment of all the organizations.”

He says while groups like Residents in Recovery do qualify for their FCSS grants, this grant is separate and has those specific qualifications.

The grant was split among the following programs:

• $10,000 to the Lloydminster Interval Home Society for the LCYC Recreation and Support Program.  
• $8,900 to the Lloydminster Roman Catholic Separate School Division #89 for Youth Sports Explorers & Free Adult/Family Gym Nights.  
• $4,000 to the Lloydminster Air Cadets 186 Squadron Inc for 186 Air Cadets.  
• $3,000 to the Lloydminster Housing Authority for Hallsholme Senior Fitness Classes.  
• $4,214 to the Lloydminster and District Centennial Commemorative Association for Saving and Sharing the Midwest’s Televised History.  
• $2,500 to the Libbie Young Centre Inc for the Summer Recreation Program.  
• $7,000 to the Lloydminster Association for Community Living for a Recreation Liaison.  
• $5,000 to the Lloydminster Area Drug Strategy for Lloydminster Youth Council. 
• $1,500 to the Lloydminster and Area Brain Injury Society for Brain Fit. 
• $5,500 to the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre for Connecting Us All-Diversity and Inclusion Forum.  
• $5,000 to International Festivals Lloydminster Society for LloydFest 2020.  
• $7,500 to Lloydminster Special Olympics for Special Olympics Lloydminster.  
• $800 to The Lloydminster Social Action Coalition Society for Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant Program.  
• $10,000 to Midwest Family Connections for Crafternoon/Craftasticday  
• $1,500 to Lloydminster Fellowship Village Society for the Fellowship Village Fitness Program.  
• $5,000 to the Lloydminster Area Drug Strategy for the Lloydminster RCMP Youth Academy.