The Town of Oliver refuses to play fast and loose with its grant-in-aid (GIA) fund.

Council recently rejected a request for $5,000 from the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen.

But it’s considering giving the Okanagan Portuguese Club some financial aid to help keep their doors open.

The Community Foundation is a registered charity that manages an endowment fund (consisting of donations) that it grants to other charities.

The organization has approximately $9 million in endowment assets. It has given out $1.5 million in grants ($220,000 per year).

The foundation’s major projects include Smart and Caring Communities and Vital Signs.

Regional development coordinator Sarah Trudeau said they are building a community fund for Oliver, which has nearly $15,000 in it.

Last year the foundation received grant applications in excess of $23,000 from Oliver, but it was only able to grant $400 to these charities.

“The goal is to build up the fund. We want all money raised in Oliver to stay in Oliver,” Trudeau said.

She noted they want to see Oliver’s fund double to $30,000 in three years.

The Town of Oliver’s grant-in-aid fund currently sits at $11,744.

Mayor Ron Hovanes noted that the Town of Osoyoos has about $40,000 in grant-in-aid money to give away. That’s because it has a bigger tax base and receives tourism dollars, he pointed out.

Councillor Jack Bennest said he is not in favour of giving the foundation $5,000 when other organizations in Oliver don’t get any money from the Town.

Hovanes said they have a limited GIA budget, and he too was not comfortable with granting the request.

As a result, council voted to receive the request and not give any money to the foundation.

However, council is considering helping the Portuguese Club by giving it some type of tax exemption. The club is currently asking the Town for a grant-in-aid of $447, which would allow it to pay its annual property taxes.

The club has informed the Town that it may have to close its doors permanently due to a dwindling membership and increasing costs.