James R. (Jim) Craven was Executive Director of the Municipal Finance Authority of BC (MFA) for 16 years from 1984 to 2000. Jim also served as mentor to the Local Government Management Association’s (LGMA) Municipal Administrative Training Institute – Foundations (MATI I) for seven years between 1985 and 2001.
In recognition of Jim’s contribution to the MFA, MATI I and to local government in British Columbia, in 2000 the MFA established the James R Craven Fund. The purpose of the fund is to provide travel assistance to those attending the MATI I Program. Since inception, the MFA has contributed approximately $180,000 to the program.
Bursaries are based on the financial need and the distance the participant must travel to attend. As a general principle, unless extenuating circumstances prevail, students from large urban local governments or those who live in reasonably close proximity to Victoria are not considered for financial assistance.
Travel subsidies are administered by the LGMA and are included with the MATI I Foundations on-line registration.