United Way, City of Kingston grant over $450k to community organizations

The United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) and the City of Kingston have selected the recipients of the 2022 Community Investment Fund (CIF) grants. These one-time grants encourage innovative and collaborative responses to social needs in our community.

Through an annual call for applications, the Community Investment Fund provides grants to eligible not-for-profits, according to a media release from the United Way. This joint funding stream is one of multiple funding channels provided by United Way and the City of Kingston.

Community Investment Fund grants have been distributed annually in Kingston since 2011, with United Way providing the administration for the granting process at no charge to the City, aligning grants with funding priorities of United Way and City of Kingston. According to the release, applications are reviewed by volunteers and recommendations are then made for approval by both, the United Way Board of Directors, and Kingston City Council.

“The depth and quality of the proposals demonstrates how much our community cares about investing in programs, building a healthier Kingston, and responding to the needs of its most vulnerable members,” said Ruth Noordegraaf, Director, Housing and Social Services for the City. “Together with United Way of KFL&A, we are encouraged to see the positive impact of the projects and programs offered by the successful grant recipients.”

The Elizabeth Fry Society, one of the 22 organizations that received a grant, will use the CIF grant money to fund permanent, culturally appropriate, and gender-specific Indigenous programming, workshops, and ceremonies.

“With COVID-19 restrictions becoming less stringent and the local community opening to in-person events, learning, and participation, being able to procure Indigenous specific materials and supplies will ensure stability for the women that we support and the women of the local community,” stated Kathryn Londry, Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society, in response to Kingstonist inquiries. “The CIF funding will be used specifically for materials and supplies to ensure that each offered Indigenous program, workshop, and ceremony can succeed to its maximum potential, be suitable and accessible to all women to promote healing, a sense of self-worth, and help to re-integrate into the local community.”

Any agency in the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington region that delivers social service programs is eligible to apply for these grants. According to the United Way, this year, 29 applications were received, with $673,245 requested, and volunteers were divided into five review panels. After review, 24 programs and projects for a total of $451,169 were recommended and approved. The City of Kingston will provide $220,000 and United Way the remaining $231,169. These funds will be invested in programs to be delivered between September 2022 and December 2023.

“These grants support local agencies in the great work they do,” said Bhavana Varma, President & CEO of United Way of KFL&A. “Needs in the community are high, and our volunteers did a great job reviewing all these proposals and making their funding recommendations to City Council and the United Way Board of Directors”.

Community Investment Fund Grants (2022)