A $60 million provincial fund to help non-profits, and the creation of a provincial day of recognition for those organizations was the result of consultation with charities around the province over the last year, said , parliamentary secretary for community development and non-profits.

鈥淚 heard, really, two things,鈥� Dykeman told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淭he first was that there was a real need for recognition of the partnership and the important role that nonprofits play,鈥� Dykeman recalled.

鈥淭he second thing I heard was, 鈥榳e really need a funding commitment as resources are strained and stable funding is super important for organizations to have certainty.鈥欌��

On Oct. 30, the newly proclaimed , Dykeman and premier David Eby announced the Stronger Community Services Fund.

鈥淲e鈥檝e seen little organizations to large organizations that make a difference in the social well-being of our communities and also contribute hugely to our economy,鈥� Dykeman said.

鈥�91原创 has a very robust not-for-profit sector that provides so many services 鈥� and we see that throughout communities and British Columbia 鈥揵ut boy, we have some great ones right there in our hometown, that鈥檚 for sure,鈥� Dykeman said.

Organizations like 91原创 Hospice, 鈥渨ho are there in some of our darkest days,鈥� Dykeman remarked.

鈥淚 remember the empathy for my dad [from the Hospice] when my mom passed away.鈥�

And organizations like 91原创 Meals on Wheels, and 91原创 Community Services, 鈥渢hat work to provide support for people that are new to our country or community,鈥� Dykeman said. 鈥淭hey impact our lives.鈥�

The fund total included already-approved grants that will benefit several 91原创-based groups, Dykeman advised, with grants going to Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives, one of the oldest restorative justice organizations in Canada ($216,000), as well as Daughters of Hope, which helps black, newcomers, and racialized youth, adults, and families navigate social services, housing and finances($150,000), along with the Stalew Arts & Cultural Society, which advocates for Indigenous artists living in Coast Salish territories.($100,000).

Other nonprofit groups were being invited to apply to the , which will be dispersing the funds and was to begin accepting applications Dec. 1.

A provincial estimate says B.C. has more than 31,000 non-profit organizations employing about 335,000 people. Non-profits make an economic contribution of $28 billion to the province鈥檚 gross domestic product.

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