BC150 – Heritage Legacy Fund

UPDATE: BC150-HERITAGE LEGACY FUND

In just a few short weeks after the new $1 million BC150-Heritage Legacy Fund program was announced on 3 December 2009, the program office received an overwhelming response. As of 30 December 2008 all available funds are fully committed.

In accordance with BC150 funding policy, the applications were reviewed on a first come, first served basis. Fifty-seven worthwhile projects were approved for financial support. Thirty-seven communities in all regions of the province will benefit, from Cranbrook to Port Edward, from Hudson’s Hope to Mill Bay. Projects include historic research, site interpretation, school programs, upgrades for museums and archives, exhibitions, digitization of records, websites, publications, oral history, minor improvements to heritage buildings, and special events and celebrations. All projects will be completed by 31 March 2009.

In order to minimize unnecessary disappointment on the part of potential applicants the program office stopped providing application forms on 16 December 2008 when it was clear that the strong demand would quickly outstrip available funds. Still, many deserving applications were received that regrettably could not be supported with the available funding.

In addition to the many applications that were received, a log of enquiries was kept which is very helpful to report back to our provincial government partners on the current level of interest and potential activity in BC, and the need for additional funding support for heritage projects.

If additional funds are made available, this website will be updated immediately. For further information, please e-mail the program office at bc150-heritagelegacyfund@shaw.ca or call 1-877-522-0150 (1-877-5BC-0150).

On behalf of the Heritage Legacy Fund of BC Society, thank you to everyone who responded to the BC150-Heritage Legacy Fund program. The Board of Directors is absolutely delighted to provide new funding to so many worthwhile heritage projects right at the start of the New Year, and only regrets that it cannot say “yes” to many more. The Board will be following closely the progress of these many projects as they are completed over the next few months, sparking new and renewed interest in heritage in so many BC communities.

Rick Goodacre

Executive Officer

Heritage Legacy Fund of British Columbia Society