New CBT program helps Basin communities address social needs

CBT commits $3 million to the Social Grants Program

Communities throughout the Basin will benefit from a new granting program from Columbia Basin Trust (CBT). Called the Social Grants Program, the three-year pilot program will have a budget of $1 million per year for projects that address social needs in the Basin.

"Supporting social well-being has always been an important part of our mandate at CBT," said Neil Muth, CBT president and CEO. "We recognize that Basin residents have been working hard to address a range of social issues, from connecting with isolated senior citizens to ensuring young families have access to early childhood development programs. CBT will support the efforts of Basin residents by funding projects through the new Social Grants Program."

Grant decisions will be made by a committee of volunteers made up of Basin residents with social sector expertise, plus community members from around the Basin. This approach will ensure that project decisions are made by individuals with technical expertise in social needs and issues, and those more broadly familiar with community development issues in the Basin. Members are being recruited until Friday, October 7, 2011. Visit CBT's website for details.

Grant application deadlines for the Social Grants Program will take place twice a year; the first intake will be in winter 2012. For future notification of exact dates, sign up for CBT's BASINLink newsletter or like CBT on Facebook.

CBT also addresses social issues through several partnerships, including support of the Enterprising Non-Profits Program, Kootenay Boundary Community Services Co-operative, Affordable Housing Resources Program and Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy. For more information, visit CBT's website.