A number of eligible London-area based charitable organizations are invited to apply for funding aimed at supporting pandemic recovery among the people they serve.
The United Way Elgin Middlesex, London Community Foundation, and the Canadian Red Cross have been chosen to partner with the federal government to help charities, non-profits, and Indigenous governing bodies apply for a local share of $3-million of a $400-million federal Community Services Recovery Fund.
The United Way will dole out around $1.75-million in London, as well as Elgin and Middlesex counties, while the London Community Foundation will distribute close to $1.25-million for infrastructure needs.
According to a statement from the United Way Elgin Middlesex (UWEM), Many local organizations have struggled since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic with an increased demand for services, reduced revenues and decline in charitable giving due to the rising cost of living. As a result, these charities have needed to use digital tools to adapting and modernize their operations.
"This region has experienced tremendous change in the past three years as agencies grapple with increasingly complex community needs and, at the same time, struggle to find the resources to adapt and modernize their services," said UWEM President and CEO Kelly Ziegner. "This Community Services Recovery Fund will help non-profits and charitable organizations serve people better."
Local organizations who receive funding will use it for one-time projects that will help:
• 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.
• Develop plans to receive funding from diverse sources.
The funds respond to what organizations need right now and will support them as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.
"United Way Elgin Middlesex is proud to work alongside London Community Foundation and their peers in Aylmer and Elgin-St. Thomas to shepherd this investment – and to help this entire community emerge from the pandemic stronger than we were," said Ziegner.
Applications for the grants opened January 6. Organizations will have until February 21 to apply with funding for projects expected to begin on May 1.
More information about the application process and eligibility can be found online at www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca.
