2011 RoadSmart reports

The reports are written in news release format so that media outlets can use the information verbatim if they wish.

Help save lives and prevent injuries in your community

Come up with a way to improve traffic safety or prevent brain injuries in your community, and you could get the money you need to make it happen.

Apply to SGI by Oct. 31, 2011 with your idea to see if you qualify for a community grant.

The Community Grants Program is sponsored by SGI and the Acquired Brain Injury Partnership Project. Grants are awarded twice a year to help offset the costs of traffic safety and brain injury prevention programs for local organizations. The first application deadline was Feb. 28 and grants were awarded in April.

“We received 81 applications from our February deadline and provided 69 applicants with a total of about $50,000 in funding,” said Shannon Ell, Manager of Traffic Safety Promotion at SGI. “We have another $50,000 up for grabs, so if you have an idea for something that will help promote traffic safety or injury prevention in your community, we’d love to hear from you.”

The average grant is about $1,200. To apply, simply complete a Community Grants application form, available online on our Community Grants program page. Grants will be awarded by the end of the year.

Some of the great ways people have used a community grant in the past include:

• Govan First Responders funded a first aid course, teaching kids in grades 4-7 how to recognize a safety emergency.
• Safe Assiniboia Coalition started a positive ticketing program in their community to encourage safe behaviour through positive reinforcement.
• The various organizations running a Kids in Safety Seats (KISS) program in their communities were able to sustain the program and expand it to other areas throughout the province. The KISS program provides child safety seats to lower income families for a nominal fee.

Grant money can't be used to pay existing salaries, purchase food for participants or for capital expenses, such as fixing roads, improving playgrounds or buying equipment like helmets for the local skating rink.

“Improving traffic safety across the province is a top priority for SGI,” said Ell. “Help us get the message out and make a difference in your community by applying for a community grant.” 

The Community Grants program began in 1997. Since then, more than 1,500 grants totalling over $1 million have been awarded to help fund community traffic safety and brain injury prevention programs across Saskatchewan.

For more information on the Community Grants Program, contact Shannon Ell at 306-775-6179 in Regina or toll free 1-800-667-8015 ext. 6179.