It is very often that groups and organizations require support to function to their full potential. Grants are often a necessity and in many cases difficult to come by. Support is much easier to be found in the Columbia Basin, where the Columbia Basin Trust has been aiding community members.
The Columbia Basin Trust has been supporting organizations and programs throughout the Columbia Basin since 1995. Their website explains that CBT was created “to promote social, economic and environmental well-being in the Canadian portion of the Columbia River Basin- the region most affected by the Columbia River Treaty.”
“Our mission is to support efforts by the people of the Basin to create a legacy of social, economic and environmental well-being and to achieve greater self-sufficiency for present and future generations,” Rachel Lucas explained.
Every year, millions of dollars are provided to the region for various projects although this year proved to be the most successful with $17 million being allocated.
Locally, CBT has supported numerous organizations and projects including $80 thousand for the College of the Rockies affordable housing project, $250 thousand for the Civic Centre and $25 thousand into the Search and Rescue building. Other projects that CBT aided with are the snowmobile trails and helping the College of the Rockies team up with LP to deliver a skills training program in 2009.
“CBT is a unique organization and we are very lucky to have access to a great number of funds and resources through CBT,” Katherine Hamilton, Golden’s CBT Community Liaison, said. “Every community in the Columbia Basin is really lucky as well.”
Thousands of dollars are awarded to local projects annually, many of which could not occur without funding from the CBT.
“It is really inspiring to see and work with so many community groups who are making efforts to improve and enhance the quality of life to people in their communities. I am here to help residents in leading the way to what they think is possible.”
CBT’s Chair of Board of Directors, Garry Merkel, agrees with Hamilton’s view on CBT.
“It’s a great opportunity to serve the people. In a way, we all serve each other. It’s not my dream more than it is anyone elses. We push each other to keep making it better and better. This job chose me, my life was leading towards it. It unfolded in front of me and was an opportunity we all took advantage of. I have worked my whole life on community development and CBT is a place to make it all happen for real.”
For more information on CBT and their contributions, visit www.cbt.org.
