The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould has announced that Community Foundations of Canada alongside Canadian Red Cross, and United Way Centraide Canada have been selected to distribute funding to help a broad and diverse range of charities, non-profits and Indigenous Governing Bodies adapt and modernize, so they can support pandemic recovery in communities across Canada.
The Community Services Recovery Fund is a one-time investment of $400 million that will help charities, non-profits and Indigenous Governing Bodies to acquire the tools they need to adapt and modernize so they can better support pandemic recovery in communities across Canada. Since the early phases of the pandemic, charities and non-profits have struggled with increased demand for their services, reduced revenues, declines in charitable giving due to the rising cost of living, and a greater need to make use of digital tools as part of adapting and modernizing their operations.
“Charities and non-profits are at the forefront of addressing our communities’ needs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many of them are struggling to recover and adapt their services to the changing needs of Kawartha Lakes communities. Through the Community Services Recovery Fund, the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes (CFKL) will be able to give organizations the support they need to serve our community,” noted Mike Bellamy, president of the Board of Directors of Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes.
Funding from the Community Services Recovery Fund will enable charities, non-profits and Indigenous Governing Bodies to invest in their own organizational capacity to:
• adapt the way they deliver services to support the needs of their staff and volunteers;
• buy equipment such as computers and software;
• create new ways of working, such as developing new fundraising approaches;
• provide support for staff and volunteers, such as training, supports for mental health and wellbeing; and
• develop plans to receive funding from diverse sources.
“Charities and non-profit organizations are at the heart of communities, creating a sense of belonging from coast to coast to coast. Through the Community Services Recovery Fund, local community foundations are proud to have the opportunity to support this important work as we collectively build a more just and equitable future driven by community. This investment from the Government of Canada comes at a critical time when communities across Canada are coming together to rebuild from the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Andrea Dicks, Community Foundations of Canada, President
As a result of the investments provided by the Community Services Recovery Fund, charities, non-profits and Indigenous Governing Bodies will be better equipped to improve the efficacy, accessibility, and sustainability of the community services that they provide.
The application process was launched on January 6th, 2023. Visit www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca
for more information as well as https://www.kawarthafoundation.ca/grants.