The Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation hopes to garner district employee support to help launch a new grant program.
The foundation received final approval from trustees at this week’s board meeting for a 50/50 payroll contribution draw, where participating employees would have a chance to win half of the contributions, with the other half going toward the foundation’s new District Initiative Grant.
The foundation set aside $25,000 this school year to award grants to schools for community projects starting next school year and the payroll contribution program will help fund the program in following years, said Erin van Steen, executive director.
She said the idea behind the new program, which will give out grants between $2,500 and $5,000 to projects focusing on social responsibility, community development and student leadership, is to get students more involved in the community.
Van Steen would like to see more awareness at the student level about local service clubs, many of whom support the foundation’s programs to help students but are not getting the new members needed so charitable work can be continued.
“The purpose of it is to start getting kids to build community awareness and enhance student leadership,” she said. “We want to teach kids how important it is to invest in your community because your community is investing in you. It’s time to get these kids out in the community and see what’s going on.”
Project ideas can originate from either students or staff, but a district employee must support it.
Information will go out to schools shortly.
The plan is to start the payroll program next September with participants committed to it for the whole school year.
Van Steen expects interest in the draw to be small at first, but grow over time and estimated annual revenue is about $15,000.
“Once we start announcing who the winners are … word will spread,” she said. “We’re hoping it catches on in the district.”
Vancouver Island University has a similar program that about 30 per cent of employees participate in, van Steen added.
She said if the program turns out to be popular, any extra money to what is needed for the DIG program will be used to top up the foundation’s bursaries program.