MRCF returns to in-person Granting Ceremony

The Maple Ridge Community Foundation (MRCF) is ready to host an evening where everyone is a winner.

After a two-year hiatus, MRCF is set to return for a free, in-person Granting Ceremony at the ACT Arts Centre from 7 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 8 and provide an opportunity for local non-profit organizations to receive funding for operations.

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This year, they received 46 applications but not all are likely to receive sizable funding.

“There is 250,000 in request but we obviously don’t have the funds so there is a great need for funding in our community,” said Jacquie Montgomery, executive assistant at MRCF.

Last year, they received 25 applications and were able to give away $78,500. This year the applications have doubled.

During the pandemic, they held virtual ceremonies over Zoom. Participating organizations submitted creative videos to share their mission statement and how the funds received would be utilized.

Although the ceremonies were smooth sailing virtually, Monica Hampu, executive director at MRCF has seen a decrease in donor contributions this year.

“Total applications received [vary] each year. But COVID had an impact on everything. A lot of our donors in the past, we didn’t see as much help coming in this year because the pandemic hit everybody,” said Hampu.

But she said she believes people are more willing to open their wallets for donations during such a ceremony because they are able to see where the money is being used.

The last in-person granting ceremony took place in November 2019.