Gaetz Memorial United Church (Facebook photo)

By David Opinko

$1-million offered

Province offers grants to faith-based and cultural groups to recoup COVID costs

Nov 10, 2020 | 10:52 AM

The provincial government is looking to support groups playing social, cultural, and spiritual roles in their communities.

$1-million is being offered through the new Faith-based and Cultural Facility Relaunch Grant the province says will provide funding to offset costs related to following public health measures.

Organizations can apply to receive up to $5,000 to cover the costs of purchasing PPE, cleaning supplies and services, contact-less dispensers, translation and printing services for health-related signage, small facility space changes, as well as to allow for physical distancing, increased ventilation, and technology upgrades fo online delivery of services.

“The ability to gather for worship and connect with our communities is critical for our mental health and well-being. The Faith-based and Cultural Facility Grant will help ensure these organizations can continue to give back to their communities, host gatherings and celebrate important holidays while following public health guidelines,” says Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism, and Status of Women Leela Sharon Aheer.

The province said in a release that they know many faith-based and cultural organizations have been suffering financially this year due to the pandemic.

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Places of worship are not typically eligible for existing pandemic response funding, many have seen their levels of donations and rental revenues drop, and most have incurred additional costs to ensure they are in compliance with public health guidelines.

The one-time grant covers costs incurred between April 1, 2020, to March 1, 2021. The deadline to apply is December 15, 2020.

More details, including how to apply, can be found here.