Sudbury non-profit to close its doors

The president of Grassroots Economic Development and Evaluation (GEODE), Allan Asher, says he feels like he is “losing a child” as the non-profit organization lives out its final days.

After 17 years of serving the community, lack of government funding is forcing the board of Grassroots Economic Development and Evaluation (GEODE) to recommend its own dissolution at the organization's annual general meeting Aug. 27.

Established in 1992, and formally recognized in 1993, GEODE is a non-profit community organization that supports environmentally and socially responsible economic development in the Sudbury area, targeting the economically disadvantaged.

Asher said GEODE's biggest contribution to the Sudbury area has been new ideas.

“We were the 'think outside the box' agency,” he said.

Glenda Forward, volunteer with the group, said the closing of GEODE is also emotional for her. The agency has many citizens in the community that rely on its services, from all walks of life. It is an organization that does not limit who it provides help to.

“There are people that are not getting the support ... and they are getting lost in the gaps,” she said.

FedNor funding for the organization ran out in March, said Forward.

Without this money, the group would go into debt if it chose to remain active, Forward said.

“It is not financially responsible to go on,” she continued.

“We submitted a proposal (to FedNor) five months ago,” she said. The group has not received a response. “We don't know why it isn't being processed.”

Forward said if funding were to be approved before the Aug. 27 annual general meeting, GEODE would remain active.

The organization has been in touch with their local FedNor representative, who seems to be doing everything they can at the local level, Forward said.

To the best of the volunteer's knowledge, the proposal is held up in Ottawa.

Since its inception, GEODE has developed several programs in keeping with its mandate.

Stepping Stone has helped entrepreneurs start or expand small businesses since 2001. In partnership with the Sudbury Credit Union, the program has provided businesses with training and access to micro credit loans to enhance the success of their owners.

The Stepping Stone program is unique because it provides more flexible guidelines on how the participating businesses, new and existing, can spend the funding, said Forward. Businesses can use the funds for whatever their businesses requires at that time, such as advertising.

“It provided a true form of support for entrepreneurs,” she said.

GEODE was also the driving force behind the development of The Foodshed Project, and was instrumental in developing it into an independent organization. Foodshed is responsible for encouraging local food security and production in the City of Greater Sudbury.

“We've done a lot in the community so it's hard to let go,” said Forward.

There is a need for GEODE in the community at this time because it provides programs for economic stimulus and there is a current necessity for economically and environmentally sustainable projects, said Forward.

“This is probably one of the worst times for Sudbury to be losing GEODE,” she added.

The dissolution of the non-profit agency is great loss to a city that is prone to economic ups and downs, said Asher.

When times get rough, people turn to the organization to re-invent their lives through the many programs they offer for new business resources and education.

“Sudbury is losing an agency that, over the years, has proven its value.”