Changes are coming for the myPG grant program.
Prince George City Council voted for the changes at last night’s (Monday) meeting.
This follows an extensive review of the grant program with input from local non-profits.
In 2017, the budget for the myPG grant program was set at $500,000, and has remained unchanged then.
Four community arts organizations receive around 53 per cent of the grant’s budget, with the remainder of the funding disbursed in the spring and fall intakes.
They are Theatre Northwest, Prince George Community Arts Council, Prince George Symphony, and Prince George Folkfest.
These organizations will have their annual funds moved out of the grant program, and into the City’s operational budget with assured annual funding.
In addition, the remaining myPG grant program budget will be increased to $550,000 by 2027.
Additionally, four new streams are being introduced to enhance access to City grant funding and offer capacity development opportunities for not-for-profits.
This was one of three options presented to council last night.
“I think it’s the best option for us to provide support to our community and our arts community,” said Councillor Kyle Sampson
“I think it’s really key that we give some stability leaving this meeting and no uncertainty to particularly those four groups that are relying on that consistent and stable funding from us, but also the other organizations that are planning multiple years in advance, looking at the myPG grant and wanting to know that those funds are going to continue to be there.”
“To tell the truth, being the Mayor for a year-and-a-half, tonight is the first time I feel a little bit embarrassed, as a Mayor, for the city of this importance, of this size, for the size of the grant we give to our community, that looks small,” said Mayor Simon Yu.
“We need to do better, we need to do a lot better.”