One of the reasons I’ve been hanging out more in the physical world is that I was working on the submission of the Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC) to the CRTC Policy Review for our sector. One month and 22 pages later, here we are. And more than 100 stations, organizations, private broadcasters, governement agencies, and individuals submitted their thoughts as well. More information in the CRFC posting below.

CRFC Participates in Review of Campus and Community Radio
Friday, 16 October 2009

In July 2009, the CRTC launched a review of its Campus and Community Radio Policies. The CRFC filed its comments today outlining the funding reality of the sector and some possible solutions to help lessen its financial stresses. The CRFC is recommending a funding model for both the campus and community radio stations and the CRFC that includes funding from the federal government as well as Canada’s private broadcasters and distributors.

You can read the CRFC’s comments here as well as view other comments submitted here.

The CRTC hearing for this process will begin on January 18, 2010.

Those of you who know me know that I have been involved in community radio for nearly 15 years now. And you might also know that I began working with some very fine folks to start the Community Radio Fund of Canada about 5 years ago. You may even know that I started working for the fund just over one year ago.

So it is with much warmth in my heart that I am spreading the news far and wide — 20 stations/associaitons are getting the first ever funding from us! Woohoo! Cheers cheers and more cheers!!! Champagne to all!!!

Here is the official press release.

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For Immediate Release
May 20, 2009

CRFC Grants 20 Broadcasters $160,000 in Major Boost to Community Radio Sector in Canada

Ottawa – The Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC) is extremely pleased to announce its first group of funding recipients through two programs launched earlier this year:

Radio Talent Development Program:
CFAD 92.1 FM, Salmo BC: “Salmo Community Radio Local News/Public Affairs Forum” $4,700
CFUV 101.9 FM, Victoria BC: “Women’s Collective Coordinator – Summer Position” $2,970
CHLS 100.5 FM, Lillooet BC: “Radio Legends” $9,750
CHOQ 105.1 FM, Toronto ON: “Dossiers Choq” $7,350
CIVR 103.5 FM, Yellowknife NT: “Recueillir et diffuser l’information locale, territorial” $10,000
CJAI 92.1 FM, Stella ON: “Local Oral History Broadcast Project” $2,320
CKBN 90.5 FM, Wôlinak QC: “Culture rurale” $9,600
CKOA 89.7 FM, Glace Bay NS: “The Celtic Connection Documentary Series” $10,000
CKUT 90.3 FM, Montréal QC: “Training Track at June 2009 NCRC” $8,650
CKUW 95.9 FM, Winnipeg MB: “The Winnipeg Files training/production module of Green Planet Monitor” $5,000
NCRA (national): “GroundWire Community News Network Capacity Improvement” $8,500

Youth Internship Program:
CFRG 93.1 FM, Gravelbourg SK: “Stage radiophonique pour un jeune” $8,000
CFRO 102.7 FM, Vancouver BC: “Aboriginal Language Learning Programming Mentorship” $10,000
CHES 101.5 FM, Erin ON: “EDHS Partnership” $10,000
CHLI 101.1 FM, Rossland BC: “Be The Voice” $9,960
CJBE 90.5 FM, Port-Menier QC: “Stage en production” $10,000
CJPN 90.5 FM, Fredericton NB: “Jeunesse radiophonique” $7,500
CJRG 94.5 FM, Gaspé QC: “La tournée régionale” $9,160
CKDU 88.1 FM, Halifax NS: “Youth Now Radio” $10,000
CKJM 106.1 FM, Chéticamp NS: “Formation de jeunes pour la relève” $5,000

The Radio Talent Development Program and the Youth Internship Program are made possible by a contribution of Astral Media Radio through a CRTC contribution mechanism totalling $1.4 million over seven years. The goal of both programs is to develop innovative local interest programming while providing mentorship, education, and/or training for broadcasters.

Each year, $80,000 is available under each program to the campus and community radio sector. This year, the CRFC received a total of fifty-four applications.

The CRFC would also like to thank the Selection Committee for their work in assessing the applications. It was not an easy task as all of the applications were deserving. None of these committee members are affiliated with any potential recipient, including as volunteers:
- Carolyn Brown, Manager, Journals Program of the National Research Council Canada
- Jonathan Browns, Cultural Planner, Arts Collections of the Public Arts Program of the City of Ottawa
- Annabelle Cloutier, Directrice générale of l’Association des producteurs francophones du Canada

For more information about the programs and the CRFC, please visit www.communityradiofund.org.

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Contact:
Melissa Kaestner, CRFC Executive Director, (613) 321-3513, m.kaestner [at] communityradiofund.org

The Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC) is a not-for-profit funding organization that solicits and distributes funds geared toward the development and sustainability of local community radio broadcasting in urban and rural Canada. Its goal is to provide the sector with the resources needed to continue providing local programming and community access, as well as for the development and enrichment of this vital component of the Canadian broadcasting system.

November 2004 is when it all started. I am so excited that the CRFC is now accepting its first call for proposals! Brief snippet of the press release below, so go visit the website if you want more info.

Awesome.

Community Radio Fund of Canada launches first call for proposals
Funding now available to campus and community radio sector in Canada

Ottawa – The Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC) is pleased to launch its first call for proposals for Canadian community-oriented broadcasters and associations.

“The establishment of the fund, and this first call for proposals, is a historic event in the development of community radio in Canada,” says Victoria Fenner, CRFC President. “Our first two programs will provide training and production resources that are aimed at strengthening programming while contributing to the capacity of the sector. It’s a great first step for us, and we are excited to see the impact these programs will have in the coming years.”

<snip>

For details on eligibility, the programs, and how to apply, as well as information about the CRFC, please visit our new website: www.communityradiofund.org

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The Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC) is an not-for-profit funding organization that solicits and distributes funds geared toward the development and sustainability of local community radio broadcasting in urban and rural Canada. Its goal is to provide the sector with the resources needed to continue providing local programming and community access, as well as for the development and enrichment of this vital component of the Canadian broadcasting system.