Sharon Martin Community Health Trust Fund:

The Sharon Martin Community Health Trust Fund (formerly known as the
"Community Health Initiative Fund" and the "Community Health Innovation
Fund") is the V/RHB's major vehicle for new investment in health
improvement, providing ongoing funding to health promotion, disease
prevention, and social determinants of health projects that are
community-based and community-directed. Currently, the fund provides $5
million to support 65 ongoing projects. $500,000 of new money is available
in the current round of funding.

The V/RHB Board of Directors selects new focus areas for each round of the
Fund. These focus areas are based on the priority health issues identified
by the public through consultation with the V/RHB's public involvement
committees. Past focus areas have included mental health, early childhood
and youth health, determinants of health and chronic conditions.

To be eligible for this round of funding, all applicants must propose
population health promotion projects for one of the groups of people listed
below:
*       Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered People
*       People with Disabilities
*       Women

The Fund accepts applications from non-profit or community-based
organizations that support primarily the residents of Vancouver and/or
Richmond. This includes ad-hoc committees, non-governmental organizations,
coalitions and umbrella organizations. However, the organization with
primary financial responsibility for a project must be a registered BC
non-profit society in good standing, with annual reports and other required
documents that are up to date and filed with the BC Registrar of Societies.
Applications from individuals, businesses, hospitals, V/RHB departments or
V/RHB affiliates will be accepted only if the projects are developed and
carried out in partnership with other community agencies.

The Due Date for Applications is January 8, 2001.

All potential applicants are encouraged to attend one or more of the free
information and proposal development sessions being offered at the locations
and times listed below:

*       Monday, September 25, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
      Richmond Health Centre Auditorium
      7000 Westminster Hwy, Richmond

*       Tuesday, October 24, 6:00-8:00 pm
      Heritage Hall
      3102 Main St., Vancouver

*       Monday, November 6, 7:00-9:00 pm
      Three Bridges Community Health Centre
      1292 Hornby St. (at Drake), Vancouver

Sharon Martin Community Health Trust Fund staff are available to answer any
questions relating to this application or any other aspect of the Fund.
Staff can be contacted by:
*       Telephone: 714-3780
*       E-mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>

Application forms are available on the V/RHB website,
http://www.vcn.bc.ca/vrhb as well as by mail.