BCHRTF announces grant recipients

The Bonner County Human Rights Task Force announced $18,925 in grants to help fund activities and programs that support and promote human rights.

Grant recipients this year include Bonner Community Food Center, Community Cancer Services, Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, Better Together Animal Alliance, Panhandle Community Radio, the Panida Theatre Committee, Pend Oreille Arts Council, Priest River Ministries, Project 7B, Sandpoint Waldorf School, Sandpoint Youth Center, Unique Center for Athletes of All Needs, and Foundation for Human Rights Action & Advocacy.

The projects funded contribute to creating kits of food and toiletries for at-risk teens; providing transportation for cancer treatment; making available scholarships to students of the Music Conservatory; helping to cover costs of medical treatment for pet owners who cannot afford them; funding of films addressing human rights issues to be shown without cost; contributing to a ‘Living Voices” production for Lake Pend Oreille School District and the community; helping provide shelter and safety for women and children fleeing domestic violence; helping to provide tools for BC residents to participate in land-use planning; purchasing literature for school students that reflects racial, ethnic, socio-economic and gender diversity; funding activities and training at the Sandpoint Youth Center; buying adaptive fitness equipment for special needs children and adults; and funding the continuation of the Erik Brujhell Scholarship.

The BCHRTF looks at human rights from a broad perspective when making decisions about grant applications, including those socio-economic rights listed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the rights of each individual to be free from discrimination and harassment.

Next year’s grant cycle will open in March 2022. Non-profit organizations, schools, and governmental entities can apply.