#nonprofit

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City of Rossland

Should Rossland overhaul community funding?

City Council is considering major changes to how non-profits, charities, and community organizations apply for grants and tax breaks. The new policy would streamline multiple funding programs but completely change application deadlines and eliminate some tax exemptions.

  • 🏛️ Currently groups apply separately for grants, tax exemptions, and facility rentals

  • 📅 Different programs have different deadlines throughout the year

  • 💰 Some organizations get property tax exemptions instead of direct grants

  • 🔄 Council wants a "single, holistic approach" to community funding decisions

  • 📊 Staff say current system lacks objectivity in allocation process

  • 📝 One unified application for all funding types with single July 15th deadline

  • 🏠 Shift away from property tax exemptions toward direct grant funding

  • 🏢 End discounted rent arrangements - groups pay market rate, get equivalent grants

  • ⚖️ New "objective criteria" for evaluating applications

  • 📋 Standardized annual reporting required from all funding recipients

$202,479
Amount available for community grants in 2026, representing 5% of property tax revenue (excluding library funding which is now separate)

Should community funding be streamlined with stricter criteria?

Council Meeting: October 20, 2025 at Rossland Council Chambers (1920 Third Avenue) immediately following the Public Hearing. Organizations currently receiving funding should pay attention - the 2026 application deadline would be November 21st if approved, with future applications due July 15th annually.

#funding#policy#nonprofit#grants#municipal
Oct 20, 2025
C
City of Rossland

Major Overhaul Coming to Community Grants?

Rossland is proposing sweeping changes to how local nonprofits and community groups receive city funding. The new policy would create a unified application system, eliminate most tax exemptions, and establish stricter evaluation criteria for the $366,284 in annual community support.

Current System Getting Complete Makeover

  • 🏛️ Multiple funding streams currently scattered across grants, tax breaks, and in-kind support

  • 📅 Different application deadlines create confusion for community groups

  • 💰 Tax exemptions being phased out in favor of direct grant funding

Current System Getting Complete Makeover

  • 📊 New objective scoring criteria to replace current evaluation process

  • 🤝 Shift toward holistic review of all city support to each organization

New Streamlined System Details

  • 📋 Single application portal opening June 1st with July 15th deadline

  • 🏆 Four funding categories: Multi-year Operating, One-time Project, Capital, and Letters of Support

  • 📈 Unified scoring system emphasizing financial need, municipal alignment, and community impact

New Streamlined System Details

  • 📊 Annual reporting requirements with standardized outcome surveys

  • ⚖️ Fair evaluation process comparing total city support across all programs

The Numbers Behind Community Support

$366,284
Annual Grant-in-Aid funding for 2026, representing 5% of property tax revenue. This doesn't include additional support through tax exemptions, discounted leases, and in-kind services that many organizations currently receive.

Should community funding be more streamlined and objective?

Council Decision: October 20, 2025 at Rossland Council Chambers (1920 Third Avenue) immediately following the Public Hearing. 2026 Transition: Current funding applications due November 21, 2025. New unified system starts in 2026 for 2027 funding decisions. Public input welcomed before the vote.

#grants#community#policy#funding#municipal#nonprofit
Oct 20, 2025