MFA's Sustaining Education Alliance in support of BC Local Government Education
LGMA
The MFA is pleased to announce the Local Government Management Associaiton of BC (LGMA)'s participation in the Sustaining Education Alliance (SEA), a strategic partnership with the Municipal Finance Authority (MFA) of BC to ensure the sustainable delivery of, and ongoing access to meaningful educational opportunities for local government leaders in British Columbia. To achieve these goals, the MFA will work collaboratively with the key providers of training and conference events in the province by sharing funding to augment their training and events.
Since 1919, the LGMA has supported excellence in local government through education, training, professional development, and networking. LGMA is dedicated to supporting excellence in local government by providing high quality and practical training and resources, encouraging the development of professional networking and connections, and facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices among members.
The dedicated financial support afforded through this partnership will support LGMA’s commitment to keep professional development and member services accessible. The LGMA recognizes and celebrates the opportunity to work collaboratively with fellow local government serving organizations to better meet the needs of the sector. This new Alliance recognizes the longstanding relationship between the LGMA and the MFA and demonstrates our shared commitment to the provision of education and professional development opportunities for local government professionals.
GFOABC
The Municipal Finance Authority of BC (MFA) is pleased to announce our second partner in our Sustaining Education Alliance (SEA) – the Government Finance Officers Association of British Columbia (GFOABC). Established in 1989, the GFOABC represents local government finance professionals across BC with a membership comprising of over 1000 members representing 160 Municipalities and 28 Regional Districts. GFOABC’s mission is to promote excellence in local government through the support and development of our members and to be the leading source for knowledge sharing that empowers BC local government financial excellence.
In June 2024, we launched the Sustaining Education Alliance (SEA). This significant funding initiative was created to ensure the sustainable delivery of, and ongoing access to meaningful educational opportunities for local government leaders in British Columbia. To achieve these goals, the MFA will work collaboratively with the key providers of training and conference events in the province by sharing significant funding to augment their training and events.
The MFA has been a proud sponsor of GFOABC since it was founded, including the annual conference, Strategic Financial Leadership program, Investing and Financing Forum webinars, and the longstanding ‘Boot Camp’ – GFOABC’s signature finance officer training program. This Alliance recognizes and expands the longstanding relationship between the GFOABC and the MFA and demonstrates our shared commitment to the provision of professional development opportunities for local government professionals.
Support for finance-related education is an important component of MFA’s mandate. We believe that being directly involved in ongoing professional development of leaders and finance staff within the local government space allows us to contribute to better practices and reduce risks while helping us improve our service offerings and better serve our members. MFA has contributed close $2 million in support of local government training activities over the last decade.
MFA remains committed to the provision of education focused on finance and business best practices for clients and refer to this as the ‘third pillar’ alongside MFA's lending and investment programs. This practice builds financial and operational strength for clients. This is a keyway the MFA differentiates itself from for-profit competitors and demonstrates its value for BC local governments. MFA believes it is more important than ever to support these organizations as they adapt and support their own member communities.