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Community Gaming Grants Review
We Need Your Help
Recent changes to the eligibility criteria for Community Gaming Grants mean that the Harrison Festival Society is no longer eligible. This change very much puts the Festival's future in jeopardy. A Community Gaming Grant Review committee has been appointed to advise the Provincial Government on what should be done with gaming grants.
A big thank you to all the people who wrote the Review committee in support of the Harrison Festival Society. The committee has now stopped taking submissions and is working on their report to Government. The committee will present their recommendations October 31.
Background
In 2009 the Provincial Government radically changed the eligibility criteria to access funding from Gaming revenue resulting in a large number of community groups no longer being eligible for Gaming monies. At the same time funding to eligible groups was significantly cut. This was done despite the fact that Gaming revenue was growing to unprecedented levels.
The Harrison Festival Society has received Gaming funding since 1989. Our latest three year agreement for funding runs from April 2010 to April 1, 2012. The Society received $80,500 per year under the terms of this agreement; however, under the new criteria the Festival Society is now ineligible for Gaming funding. When the agreement runs out in March we will receive nothing. This means that we will be able to present one more Festival and one more year of year round programs and could then be faced with closing our doors after 34 years.
Historically, all across Canada, the proceeds of gaming activities have supported the large number and variety of charities and non-profit organizations that form the social foundation of our communities. When gaming was first licensed by governments it was based on the mutual understanding that the revenue from these activities was going to support community organizations. These community organizations working in a variety of sectors; social service, health, sports, arts & culture among others, utilize thousands of volunteers to carry out a wide range of activities vital to our communities. A study carried out earlier this year suggests that between 680 and 1000 of the 2000 organizations receiving gaming funding in BC could be closing their doors over the next year if gaming funding is not restored to 2009 levels. This includes the Harrison Festival Society.
In her recent campaign for the leadership of the Provincial Liberal Party Christy Clark said that she was committed to reinstating eligibility criteria and funding back to the 2009 level. Now as Premier she has not yet done this. Instead the Premier has established a Community Gaming Grants Review to look at all aspects including existing legislation, multi-year funding models, funding formulas and the application process.
The committee undertaking the Review will be taking submissions from the public as well as conducting public forums around the Province. We have made a written submission to the Committee and spoke at a public forum in Abbotsford on August 29th. However, the greatest impact will be the testimony from YOU: our audience members, volunteers, supporters and partners. Take a minute and send the committee a note. Help us keep the Harrison Festival alive for another 33 years.
If you are interested in more information, check these links:
Community Gaming Grant Review web site
Alliance for Arts and Culture web site
Harrison Festival Society written submission
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