Over $2.8 Million available in funding to Waterloo Region organizations through the Community Services Recovery Fund
WATERLOO REGION, ON — In November, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, announced that Community Foundations of Canada alongside Canadian Red Cross, and United Way Centraide Canada have been selected to distribute funding through the Community Services Recovery Fund, a one-time investment of $400 Million, 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.
Today, Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) and United Way Waterloo Region Communities (UWWRC) are announcing they are working together as part of this initiative to distribute over $2.8 Million locally, and are now accepting applications. In addition, there will be funding available through the Canadian Red Cross, with applications being accepted through the same centralized online portal.
Since the early phases of the pandemic, charities, non-profits, and Indigenous Governing Bodies 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.
Funding from the Community Services Recovery Fund will enable charities, non-profits, and Indigenous Governing Bodies to invest in their own organizational capacity by funding one-time projects 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 staff training, supports for mental health and wellbeing; and
develop plans to receive funding from diverse sources.
You can access information about the CSRF at www.wrcf.ca/recovery-fund, including a link to the application form and program guidelines. Submissions are due by February 21, 2023 (5 pm EST).
Quotes:
“Charities and non-profits are at the centre of addressing our communities’ needs and have faced increasing demands through the COVID-19 pandemic. The one-time support provided by the Community Services Recovery Fund is specifically focused on helping those organizations strengthen their internal capacity. WRCF is pleased to play a part in assisting organizations in Waterloo Region receive the support they need to serve our community into the future.”
– Eric Avner, President & CEO, Waterloo Region Community Foundation
“The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still being felt in profound ways around the Waterloo Region. We are proud to be part of the collaboration between United Way Centraide Canada, Community Foundations of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross to deliver the Community Services Relief Fund from the Government of Canada, allowing us to continue to support local organizations recovering from unprecedented times,” says Joan Fisk, CEO United Way Waterloo Region Communities. “As always, United Way Waterloo Region Communities is committed to working alongside our local non-profit sector to determine where help is needed most.“
– Joan S Fisk, CEO, United Way Waterloo Region Communities
“The Government supports a more inclusive model of economic growth that creates opportunities for everyone in Canada as the long-term recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The Community Services Recovery Fund will strengthen the ability of charities and non-profits to deliver services and resources where they will have the most impact. Because of the National Funders’ strong connections with local organizations, they will ensure funding is distributed efficiently to organizations that provide services to communities in need across Canada.”
– Karina Gould, The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
“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
“The Community Services Recovery Fund will enable the charities and non-profits that serve our diverse communities to adapt and renew their programs and services and to invest in the future of their organizations, staff, and volunteers. I would like to recognize and thank the Government of Canada and Minister Gould for hearing and responding to the call from the sector for investment in our essential community service organizations.”
– Dan Clement, United Way Centraide Canada, President and CEO
-###-
About Waterloo Region Community Foundation
Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) collaborates with partners to create sustainable, equitable and thriving communities. We connect regionally and locally, working with three cities and four townships – to include the people and places across our region. Together, we develop forward-thinking innovative solutions and seize opportunities to meet current and future needs of our community. We make philanthropy easy for individuals and companies to support organizations and issues they care about. WRCF is focused on Granting, Impact Investing and Convening to make measurable and sustainable impacts. Gifts are directed to WRCF's endowed funds that drive positive change through grants with the income generated being distributed in partnership with Fundholders to support a wide range of charitable causes within our community. A portion of the endowed funds are also used for impact investments that deliver both financial returns as well as positive social or environmental outcomes. As a leading community-building organization we also work to amplify voices and issues of importance by convening conversations and sharing information, while approaching our work with an equity mindset. www.wrcf.ca
About United Way Waterloo Region Communities
United Way Waterloo Region Communities is dedicated to helping people live better lives in every one of the seven communities we serve, and we focus on understanding issues and solutions unique to our community. Thanks to generous donors and partners, we are privileged to collaborate with people, non-profits, and businesses to empower multiple innovative, impactful and measurable solutions. We are fundraisers and local community builders that support a network of agencies whose programs and services are locally focused, informed, connected, and deeply invested in helping people reach their full potential. To ensure critical agencies, programs and services get the funding they need, and to ensure donors have a clear line of sight to the work we do, we have focused on cause-based giving. Campaign for a Cause is a targeted community campaign that provides the opportunity for you or your workplace to give back in a way that aligns directly with your values and goals. To learn more, connect with us at www.uwaywrc.ca
For additional information about this release or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Lynne Short
Vice President, Waterloo Region Community Foundation
519-725-1806 x 204
lynne@wrcf.ca
Amanda Melnick
Senior Director, Impact and Stewardship, United Way Waterloo Region Communities
519-888-6100 x 210
amelnick@uwaywrc.ca
