TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: December 1, 2025 Report No. ADM-25-047
TO: Council
FROM: Ter?se Finegan, Manager of Economic Development
SUBJECT: Review of Local Grant Funding and Policy Options
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council rescind Council Policy No. FIN-20 Local Grants Policy and approve Council Policy No. ADMIN-83 Local Grants Policy and the Local Grant Guidelines as attached to Staff Report No. ADM-25-047.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Council directed staff to prepare amendments for consideration to FIN-20-Local Grants Policy (Appendix 1) based on the proposed Local Grant Guidelines (Appendix 2) discussed in Staff Report ADM-24-074 from November 25, 2024.
This report proposes revisions to the FIN-20 Local Grants Policy, renumbered as ADM-83 (Appendix 3), which incorporate the changes outlined in the proposed Local Grant Guidelines (Appendix 2). The revisions align the policy with Council's strategic priorities while improving transparency, accessibility, and overall program effectiveness.
BACKGROUND:
The Local Grants Funding Program is a key mechanism through which the Township supports community organizations and initiatives. The program's objectives include fostering community well-being, enhancing cultural vibrancy, and promoting sustainability. Previous iterations of FIN-20 have been revised periodically to reflect evolving priorities and best practices.
Recent Chronology:
* 2021: FIN-20 underwent amendments to streamline application processes.
* 2023: Council identified the need to update the policy to better align with strategic priorities.
* 2024: Draft Local Grant Guidelines were developed and presented to Council.
* 2025: The Local Grant Committee engaged in further discussion regarding the guidelines (Appendix 4 - Minutes of the Local Grant Committee meeting held on April 17, 2025)
Staff Report FIN-24-007 (April 15, 2024) provides an in-depth overview of past reviews and discussions dating back to Febru...
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