HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-08-004 - General Provision Grant Request - Millennium Choral Organization
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Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
Community Services Committee
January 7, 2008
Renate Willms, Supervisor of Administration
Renate Willms, Supervisor of Administration (Ext. 2395)
All
December 18, 2007
CSD-08-004
GENERAL PROVISION GRANT REQUEST - MillENNIUM
CHORAL ORGANIZATION
RECOMMENDATION:
That a general provision grant in the amount of $2,400 to the Millennium Choral
Organization be approved.
BACKGROUND:
At the June 18, 2007 Community Services Committee meeting, staff submitted Report No. CSD-
07-060, providing information on the proposed transitional implementation approach for 2008
annual operating and minor sports grants processes and recommending 2008 annual grant
allocations. On June 25, 2007, Council approved the implementation plan outlined in the staff
report, which included the following process for new grant requests.
'~ny new organization or group who wishes to apply for a 2008 annual operating
grant will be directed to apply through the general provision grant process for the
2008 funding year only. Through the general provision grant process, applicants
must submit a fully completed application form along with all required documents.
The application will be submitted for review to the appropriate advisory
committee; staff will then submit the grant request, along with a staff report, to
Council for consideration at a Community Services Committee meeting, as per
the current general provision grant procedures. "
On June 25, 2007, Council also approved that, for the 2008 calendar year only, the following
statement which is included in Policy 1-596-Grants-General Provision be waived for those
applicants wishing to apply for annual funding in 2008 but have been directed to the general
provision grant process:
Report No. CSD-08-004
Page 2
"General provision grants are intended for one time funding only, for a specific
event or project. Organizations seeking continual support are encouraged to
seek other funding sources and not rely on grant funding from the City. Grant
requests for ongoing support will be considered with the annual operating grant
process. "
REPORT:
The Community Services Department has received a grant request in the amount of $2,400
(revised from the original request of $5,000) from the Millennium Choral Organization (MCO) to
assist with venue and rehearsal rental expenses.
The organization has advised that it is their intent to also seek annual funding for 2009.
The Millennium Choral Organization is a community based vocal choir which has been in
existence for 20 years. In May 2005, the MCO became a not-for-profit organization with a
mission statement "to provide an opportunity and environment in which singers and musicians,
including children and youth, may develop the knowledge, skills and concepts required to
experience live choral performances". There are approximately 120 members (100 adults, 20
children) participating in the choir who pay annual membership fees ($110 adult, $60 child) to
cover costs for practice time in preparation for two major concerts held each year. The MCO
does not hold auditions, but rather welcomes anyone who wishes to sing in a choir setting.
Further details of the organization's program are provided in the attached grant application.
The organization is currently facing a deficit position but does not wish to raise membership fees
so that these remain affordable and do not become a barrier to join.
The grant request was reviewed by the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee at their November
20, 2007 meeting, who recommended that the grant request be approved, as follows:
"The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee supports the Millennium Choral
Organization's $5,000 grant application with the advice that the organization
carefully considers the implications of changing its venue while facing a deficit in
2008':
At their meeting, ACAC members expressed concern that the MCO is seeking to use more
expensive venues while it is facing another deficit position next year and suggested that the
organization hold off until it is financially viable to do so. A copy of the ACAC resolution is
attached for reference.
The organization's original grant request was for an amount of $5,000 since it was their intention
to perform at the Centre in the Square in 2008, thereby tripling their venue and rehearsal costs.
Acting on the recommendations made by ACAC, the MCO Board has now made a decision to
scale down venue performances and not use the Centre in the Square next year. They will
continue using church halls until they are in a better financial position. Therefore, the
organization has revised their original grant request from $5,000 to $2,400.
Staff concur with ACAC's comments and recommend that a grant amount of $2,400 be
approved to assist with venue rental expenses. Arts and culture support is a significant focus
area for the City of Kitchener.
Report No. CSD-08-004
Page 3
The organization has advised that they will not be requesting funding from the Region or the
Cities of Waterloo and Cambridge since all of their rehearsals and performances are held in
Kitchener.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
If approved, the grant will be funded through the 2008 general provision grant account.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The grant applicant has received a copy of this report.
Renate Willms
Supervisor of Administration
AU.
)
R
Community Services
City of Kitchener
City Hall, 200 King St. West
P.O. Box 1118
Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
Date:
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Subject:
November 26, 2007
Renate Willms, Supervisor, Administration
Cheryl York, Co-ordinator, Arts/Culture
Grant Application - Millennium Choral Organization
Please be advised that the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, at its regular meeting held
November 20, 2007, passed the following resolution as recorded in its minutes:
Motion: The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee supports the Millennium Choral
Organization's $5,000 grant application with the advice that the organization carefully
considers the implications of changing its venue while facing a deficit in 2008.
The Committee notes that the Millennium Choral Organization is a community-based group
providing choral training to its members and annual performances in the community. For 19
years, the organization operated without non-profit status. With the adoption of non-profit status
in 2005, the organization is experiencing a transition period of changes in its financial structure.
Millennium Choral Organization Mission Statement:
· To establish, operate, maintain, equip and direct a community choir or choirs in Waterloo
Region;
· To provide an opportunity and environment in which singers and musicians, including
children and youth, may develop the knowledge, skills and concepts required, and to
experience, live choral performances;
· To educate and increase the public's understanding and appreciation of the musical arts by
providing performances of an artistic choral nature in public places, senior citizen homes,
churches, community centres and educational institutions.
Cheryl York
Arts/Culture Co-ordinator