Helping the People Who Help Bradford

A Better Partnership With Our Non-Profits and Community Organizations

Some of the most important work happening in Bradford West Gwillimbury isn’t being done by government.

It’s being done by volunteers.

Service clubs, sports organizations, cultural groups, charities, youth organizations, seniors’ groups, community associations and countless volunteers give thousands of hours of their time to make Bradford a better place to live.

They organize programs. They raise money. They support families. They create events. They give our kids opportunities. They bring neighbours together.

And many of them do it while constantly worrying about something very basic:

Where are we going to meet, and how are we going to pay for it?

I think we can do better.

We Don’t Need to Start From Scratch

Bradford West Gwillimbury already has a Community Support Program that provides grants and some in-kind assistance to qualifying non-profit organizations.

That’s a good foundation.

I want to build on it.

Rather than simply increasing grants every year, I want the next Council to examine how we can make better use of the resources the Town already owns and develop a more comprehensive partnership with the organizations serving our community.

That starts with space.

Reduce the Cost of Municipal Space

My goal would be simple:

Where it is financially and operationally reasonable, qualifying Bradford non-profit and volunteer organizations should have access to municipal space at a significantly reduced cost, and in some circumstances, at no cost.

That doesn’t mean unlimited free rentals.

Municipal buildings still cost money to operate. There are staffing, cleaning, maintenance, insurance and other costs that taxpayers ultimately pay.

We have to recognize that.

But an empty meeting room at 7 p.m. is also an opportunity.

Instead of applying one rule to every organization and every facility, I would like staff to examine a Community Organization Partnership Program that could provide different levels of assistance depending on the organization, the space being requested and the actual cost to the Town.

That could include:

• Free annual meeting-room hours for qualifying organizations.

• Reduced non-profit rental rates.

• Facility credits that organizations could use throughout the year.

• Access to available municipal space during designated off-peak periods.

• Grants specifically designed to offset facility costs.

• Priority or advance booking opportunities for established community organizations.

• In-kind municipal support where it makes financial sense.

The objective isn’t simply to give things away.

It’s to get more community value out of facilities taxpayers already own.

Who Should Qualify?

This needs to be transparent.

Council shouldn’t be picking favourites, and politicians shouldn’t be deciding which organization deserves free space.

Clear criteria should be established.

Consideration could include whether an organization is genuinely not-for-profit, primarily serves Bradford residents, demonstrates community benefit, has responsible governance and financial practices, welcomes public participation where appropriate, uses volunteers, demonstrates actual participation or membership, and can show how municipal support will help it deliver more value to the community.

he level of support could also reflect the type of organization and the service being provided.

A small volunteer group needing a meeting room once a month is very different from an organization requesting a major facility for hundreds of hours every year.

Our policy should recognize that difference.

Create an Annual Bradford Community Organizations Summit

There is another piece I believe is missing.

Once a year, I would like to bring Bradford’s non-profit, volunteer and community organizations together with Council and Town staff for an annual Bradford

Community Organizations Summit.

Not another ceremonial event.

A working session.

Let’s put the people doing the work in the same room and ask:

What’s working?

What’s getting in your way?

What space do you need?

Where are organizations struggling to find volunteers?

What funding opportunities are available?

Could organizations share equipment, facilities or resources?

Are two groups trying to solve the same problem without knowing about each other?

How can the Town help organizations attract new members and develop their next generation of volunteers and leaders?

And most importantly:

What can we change before next year?

Then we measure our progress and come back the following year.

Help Organizations Find Money Beyond Town Hall

Municipal taxpayers shouldn’t have to fund everything.

Part of this initiative should be helping organizations find funding from other sources.

I would like the Town to provide better information and assistance connecting qualifying organizations with provincial and federal grants, foundations, corporate sponsorship opportunities and other programs.

If spending a little staff time helps a local organization secure $25,000 or $50,000 from another funding source, that’s a win for the organization and a win for Bradford taxpayers.

Measure the Results

Any new program needs accountability.

Before expanding subsidies or eliminating fees, I would want staff to identify the real financial impact.

How much rental revenue would actually be lost?

How much unused municipal capacity currently exists?

What are the incremental staffing and cleaning costs?

How many residents are benefiting?

Are organizations growing?

Are we creating more programs and opportunities?

And are we getting more community value for every municipal dollar invested?

If something isn’t working, change it.

If something is producing tremendous community value, build on it.

Government Doesn’t Have to Do Everything

One of the biggest mistakes government can make is assuming it has to deliver every solution itself.

Sometimes the better approach is helping the people who are already doing the work.

Bradford has incredible volunteers and community organizations.

Instead of asking:

“What new program can the Town create?”

sometimes we should be asking:

“What barrier can the Town remove?”

My goal is not to promise unlimited free space or unlimited funding.

My commitment is to bring our community organizations to the table, review the numbers, look at what other municipalities are doing, and develop a fair and financially responsible system that helps successful organizations grow while giving new organizations an opportunity to succeed.

Because when we help the people who are already helping Bradford, the entire community benefits.