HRM delivers $429k in funding to community groups

Seventy-one community groups in the Halifax region should get city hall grants this year totalling $429,483, a staff report says.

The report says 140 applications were received for the 2013-14 grants program, for a combined amount of around $1.3 million. This years budget for the annual program is $500,000.

Halifax Regional Municipalitys grants committee is to consider the staff report at a meeting Monday. The committee will then make a recommendation on largesse to regional council.

Of the 71 applications recommended for approval, some have proposed conditions attached. Thirty of the 140 were deemed ineligible under the programs rules.

The program doesnt provide multi-year funding but candidates for monetary gifts may apply in consecutive years, the report says. The grants committee can overturn or amend a recommendation, it says.

Applicants are not always treated equally, the report says. Sometimes, the playing field might need to be adjusted.

In circumstances where there is (not enough money) to fund all qualified candidates, preference may be given to groups who have not received a grant or those who do not receive other forms of HRM assistance, the report says.

Among the recommended recipients:

W. Williams Non-Profit Housing Association ($12,500), to cover the cost of siding replacement.

Nova Scotia SPCA ($5,272), for the cost of window replacement and exterior ventilation work at its animal shelter, conditional on the applicant confirming it has the balance of funds needed to complete the work.

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HRM delivers $429k in funding to community groups