More than 4,100 local sport organizations in BC faced financial challenges due to the absence of registration fees, event revenues, and sponsorships because of COVID-19.
The Local Sport Relief Fund is administered by viaSport on behalf of the Province, and was created to help non-profit sport organizations get back on their feet.
Funds will help assist with expenses like rent, equipment, insurance, and administrative costs.
In the Thompson Okanagan alone, 43 different sport organizations will be receiving grants up to $7,500, from additional financial support provided by the Government of Canada.
This is the second allocation of funds for local sport organizations, and this time the province is providing more than $1 million in grants to 214 organizations throughout BC. In January, the first round of funding divided up $1.5 million to 288 organizations.
"It's thrilling to be able to move forward in this province to a careful return to games, competition, and recreational activity," said Charlene Krepiakevich, CEO, viaSport. "COVID-19 took a tremendous toll on sport organizations across this province. This funding acknowledges the need to financially support local sport organizations to ensure they are ready to help ramp up capacity as sport returns to communities."
BC hopes to focus on enhancing opportunities for a more inclusive, diverse, and affordable future for sports.
Local Sport Relief Fund grants awarded in both rounds prioritized organizations serving under-represented populations, including girls and women, persons with disabilities, underprivileged youth, racially diverse and LGBTQI2S communities.
For a list of all the organizations receiving grants click here.
