Second round of Emergency Community Support Fund grants over $350,000 locally
The second round of funding of the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) sees local charities receive a boost of over $350,000.
The money will allow charities to adapt and increase frontline services for vulnerable populations during COVID-19, according to a release from the United Way, dated Friday, Dec. 4, 2020.
Local granting was administered through the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area and United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington. Grant applications were accepted for this second round of funding from October 5 – October 30.
“Our local charities and agencies play a critical role in our community,” said Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, these organizations have had to learn how to adapt and continue to deliver their vital services to those who rely on them. Since the beginning of this pandemic, there has been an increased demand for funding for our local charities and support services, and I am confident that the funding granted to the United Way KFL&A and the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area, through the Emergency Community Support Fund, will help these organizations continue their important work. I am proud that the Government of Canada will continue to support the valuable work of local charities and agencies in Kingston and the Islands, and across the country.”
According to the United Way, both organizations saw a huge demand for this funding with grant requests far exceeding the available funding. The United Way KFL&A received over $470,000 in requests and the Community Foundation received requests surpassing $630,000 – for a combined total of over $1.1 million in asks for the $354,361 in available funding.
“We are pleased to have had the opportunity to take part in this program with United Ways and Community Foundations across the country, to leverage our local knowledge to ensure that the federal money flows quickly to where it is needed most,” said Tina Bailey, Executive Director of the Community Foundation Kingston & Area. “With demands so high, our review teams had to make some tough choices, but I am confident that the funds allocated by both our organizations will be well used and help many of our most vulnerable at this difficult time.”
Both organizations relied on their experienced local grant review volunteers to review the numerous applications received and make final funding recommendations, according to the release. The result: 22 projects totalling $193,343 funded through the United Way, and 14 projects totalling $164,018 through the Community Foundation.
“The needs in our community are great and will continue throughout and beyond the pandemic, but agencies and programs continue to adapt and rise to the challenge of continuing to help the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Bhavana Varma, President and CEO, United Way KFL&A. “This second round of funding allows these local organizations to continue their vital work and expand their programming where needed. The United Way is grateful for this much-needed support through the federal government during this global crisis.”
“Canadian charities and non-profit organizations play a vital role in our communities,” added Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Ahmed Hussen. “However, the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing real challenges to these important organizations. The Government of Canada is pleased to support these organizations through the Emergency Community Support Fund so that they can continue to help the most vulnerable members of our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
These new grants are in addition to the first round of ECSF grants announced in July of 2020.
This latest funding brings the total granted locally through the ESCF to over $1.5 million.
For details on grants in both rounds visit http://www.unitedwaykfla.ca/grants and www.cfka.org/ecsf-2-grants/
About the Emergency Community Support Fund
COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations in Canada. Since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, community-based charities and non-profit organizations have been working tirelessly to provide emergency support of all kinds—in particular, to individuals and communities experiencing continued or heightened vulnerability. Demand for their services has increased dramatically. The Fund is designed to help these organizations carry out their vital work to ensure no one is left behind.
The funding is intended to support frontline community-based service providers who serve vulnerable Canadians, including low-income seniors, women, children and youth, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, refugees, Indigenous peoples and members of racialized communities.