The Prince George Community Foundation is one of nine community foundations in Canada gearing up to find new ways to use sports to build better communities.
This is a national initiative supported by Community Foundations of Canada and the True Sport Foundation.
"Prince George has always been a community who cares and working with True Sport to deliver sustainable projects in the field of sports is timely as we approach the 2015 Winter Games here in P.G.," said Judy Neiser, executive director, Prince George Community
Foundation.
"Community consultations are in progress and we are open to working with potential sponsors, donors and applicants in order to develop sustainable programs to build stronger communities through sport."
The initiative, a partnership between Community Foundations of Canada, the True Sport Foundation and the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, sees community foundations consulting and collaborating with local sport and non-sport organizations to determine ways in which sport can positively impact the community.
"Physical activity, engagement and participation are all cornerstones of healthy communities and this program weaves together all three in a very effective way," said Ian Bird, president and CEO of Community Foundations of
Canada.
"The True Sport program is one example of how community foundations are doing just that. And we will be making more announcements soon about how CFC plans to become a driving force for smart and caring communities."
The CFC-True Sport initiative began as a pilot project 18 months ago and has been gaining momentum.
Viable projects are tailor-made to respond to residents' needs and desires, and during the previous pilot phase included funding for soccer tournaments in Winnipeg, a volleyball club in Waterloo Region, and a youth geocaching program in Abbotsford.
Some other community foundations selected to participate in 2012 are in Toronto, Hamilton and
Mississauga.
CFC funds the True Sport initiative through a J.W. McConnell Family Foundation grant and participants must secure matching funds from community agencies, businesses and other sources.
