Grants & Funding

Special Project or Program: One-Time Application

This funding is intended to support a specific project or program.

To qualify:

• Applicants must meet all eligibility and application requirements.
• Funding must be used for the specific project and within the timelines identified in the approved application.
• Organizations may apply each year, but the application must be for a different project.
• Applications must be submitted using the form provided by the Town.
• Annual operating funding will not be considered under this category.
• Funding must be directly linked to the approved project or program.

Annual Community Development

This category supports organizations that provide an identified annual special event or function that benefits the community.

Organizations currently identified under this category include:

• Festival Society
• Osoyoos Fireworks
• Secondary School Bursary Program

Line Budgeted Organizations

Certain organizations that operate complex facilities or provide ongoing services may be identified as individual line items within the Town’s annual budget.

Funding is considered as part of the overall operating budget and may change depending on the Town’s financial circumstances. This funding provides an organization with a base level of operational and/or capital support.

The amount identified includes all costs and services provided by the Town to the organization.

Grants for Facility Rentals

Financial assistance with facility rental costs is considered in limited circumstances.

Organizations must demonstrate that they are unable to raise sufficient funds to cover the rental costs and that use of the facility serves a community need or purpose.

Rental assistance will generally not be approved when an event is being held as a fundraiser and it can reasonably be expected that the event will generate enough revenue to cover its expenses.

Requests for rental waivers are considered after the event has taken place. Applicants must provide a financial accounting demonstrating the need for assistance to the Director of Community Services. Staff will then prepare a recommendation for Council.

Council may approve ongoing rental waivers for certain non-profit community events as part of the annual budget process.

If the Town has already provided a facility at no charge, generally no additional grant funding will be considered for the same project.

Grants for Insurance Costs

The following groups or events are pre-approved for grants covering insurance costs:

• Festival Society events
• Street dances

Other organizations requesting assistance with insurance premiums must demonstrate that they are unable to raise the necessary funds and that the activity or event serves a community need or purpose.

Property Tax Exemptions

Any grant provided through a property tax exemption is limited to the municipal portion of the property taxes owing.

Sports Teams and Individuals

Financial assistance is available to eligible youth sports teams and individuals competing at the provincial level or higher.

• Youth teams with participants up to a maximum age of 18 may receive up to $500.
• Individuals under the age of 18 may receive up to $200.
• Applications may be reviewed by the Community Services Advisory Committee, with recommendations forwarded to Council.
• A maximum of $2,000 per fiscal year is available for sports team and individual funding.
• Applications are accepted until the annual funding has been fully allocated.

Applicants and members of organizations receiving or seeking Town funding are expected to work with the Town in a collaborative and respectful manner.

Organizations and their members are expected to conduct themselves positively and in a manner that does not negatively affect the image of the Town of Osoyoos.

Failure to meet these expectations may affect the amount of funding received or eligibility for future funding. Inappropriate actions occurring after funding has been approved may also result in the 10% grant holdback not being awarded.

Applicants should ensure they can demonstrate:

• How their project, program or service benefits Osoyoos residents.
• Why municipal financial assistance is required.
• What other funding sources have been pursued.
• How the requested funding will be used.
• Their organization’s current financial position.
• How the organization plans to work toward financial self-sufficiency.

Applications should be submitted to the Director of Community Services by October 31, unless applying under the provisions for eligible sports teams or individuals.

Community Services Grant applications must be submitted to the Director of Community Services by October 31 for consideration as part of the annual budget process.

Applications from eligible sports teams and individuals may be submitted after the October 31 deadline and will be considered while designated funding remains available.

Use the fillable webform below, download the fillable PDF application, or pick up a paper copy at the Sonora Community Centre or Town Hall.

The Visitor Activity Enhancement Program is funded through the Province of British Columbia's Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI).

Osoyoos is one of 14 designated Resort Municipalities in British Columbia that receive RMI funding to invest in tourism-related infrastructure, amenities and programs. This funding helps communities attract more visitors and encourage longer stays without relying on traditional municipal funding sources such as property tax revenue.

As a condition of receiving RMI funding, each Resort Municipality develops a Resort Development Strategy outlining how funding will be invested to support tourism-related goals. The Visitor Activity Enhancement Program is one of the initiatives identified in the Town of Osoyoos Resort Development Strategy.

The RMI Visitor Activity Enhancement Program is under the direction of Town of Osoyoos Council. Funding applications are reviewed based on program requirements, available funding and their potential contribution to the local tourism economy.

RMI funding is intended to support projects that positively contribute to the Osoyoos and area tourism economy. Projects are assessed based on their ability to contribute to outcomes such as:

• Increased resort activities and amenities;
• Increased visitor activity;
• Increased private investment;
• Increased employment in the community;
• Growth in the tourism component of the local economy;
• Increased municipal tax revenue; and
• Diversification of the municipal tax base and revenue.

Applications will also be assessed based on the following:

• Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility by providing a detailed project budget and demonstrating financial need.
• Budgets must identify matching or leveraged funding from other sources to supplement the requested RMI funding.
• Funding is available for new festivals and events or enhancements to existing festivals and events.
• Preference will be given to events that encourage visitation during non-peak periods, including spring, fall and winter, and that take place outside of long weekends.
• Preference will be given to applications with a budget between $5,000 and $10,000.

Funding provided by the Province through the RMI Program cannot be used for regular operating expenses. Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Salaries or wages;
• Volunteer recognition;
• Payroll benefits;
• Infrastructure maintenance or repair costs;
• Feasibility studies; and
• Research.

This is not an exhaustive list. Applicants who are unsure whether a proposed expense is eligible are encouraged to contact the Town before submitting an application. Applications requesting funding for ineligible expenditures may be rejected.

Recipients of RMI Visitor Activity Enhancement Program funding are required to report on how the funding was used and how the event contributed to the Osoyoos and area tourism economy.

A final report must be provided to the Town within 45 calendar days following the event and include:

1. A detailed budget and accounting of how RMI funding was spent;
2. Visitor survey results, including participant satisfaction with the event;
3. Estimated event attendance;
4. Estimated number of out-of-town visitors attracted by the event;
5. Digital photographs and spectator or participant testimonials that may be used in the Town's Annual RMI Report; and
6. An estimate of the additional accommodation occupancy generated by the festival or event.

To support completion of these reporting requirements, 10% of approved RMI funding will be withheld until the required event report has been received by the Town.

Applications for funding for the coming year must be received by October 31.

Applicants are encouraged to review the program requirements carefully before submitting an application to ensure their proposed project and expenses are eligible.

Use the fillable webform below, download the fillable PDF application, or pick up a paper copy at the Sonora Community Centre or Town Hall. Be sure to fill out the additional RMI section of the application form.