The COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund was created to provide short-term support for community organizations facing increased demands, and to help them respond to new opportunities during the first few months of the pandemic and recovery period. While we expect to make several more grants, it is now closed to new applications. See below for additional information on funding for COVID-related needs.
The following grants were recently approved:
Adsum Association for Women and Children ($50K)
With this funding Adsum Association for Women and Children will provide emergency housing and support services for families who are escaping intimate partner violence and who do not have means to afford rent.
Médecins du Monde Canada ($50K)
Support from the Foundation will help Médecins du Monde Canada adapt their services to comply with public health guidelines, utilize COVID-19 harm reduction practices in health care for homeless populations and provide access to health care for pregnant migrant women and migrant children who would not be covered by provincial health insurance.
Reena: The Toby and Henry Battle Development Centre ($50K)
Funds will be used to hire a coordinator to train, motivate and implement the deployment of day-program staff to 31 group homes, serving nearly 440 individuals with development disabilities.
The 519 ($50K)
Support from the Foundation will assist The 519 in providing trauma-informed support and resources to marginalized community members suffering from domestic and gender-based violence – especially street-involved individuals.
Ladysmith Family and Friends (LaFF) ($40K)
This grant will support LaFF to provide online or in-person support for food or clothing needs and mental and physical health support to over 500 vulnerable families with children age 0-6 on Vancouver Island.
Restoration and Empowerment for Social Transition Centre ($30K)
A grant from the Foundation will support the Restoration and Empowerment for Social Transition Centre’s work to provide youth with remote counseling with a qualified counsellor, to help them navigate access to income supports and housing, and deal with mental health challenges.
Family Services Ottawa ($30K)
With this funding Family Services Ottawa will provide safe physical spaces for services related to mental health, addiction, and developmental disabilities for those high risk clients who cannot access or depend on virtual services.
The Dorothy Ley Hospice ($30K)
This grant will enable The Dorothy Ley Hospice to increase its capacity to deliver palliative services through virtual platforms – for counseling, grief, bereavement, hospice etc. It will also support a virtual remembrance ceremony to honor loved ones lost to COVID.
Minwaashin Lodge: Indigenous Women’s Support Centre ($30K)
A grant from the Foundation will enable Minwaashin Lodge to hire additional staff for their emergency Violence Against Women shelter, and to support families residing in city hotels due to a lack of shelter space, as well as families receiving social assistance, who have not received benefit from COVID-19 related financial assistance programs.
Tides Canada Initiatives Society – Together Project ($25K)
This grant will support the adaptation of the Together Project’s Welcome Group Program to incorporate remote social support into existing program activity and provide assistance to 25-30 vulnerable newcomer families facing integration challenges and social isolation.
Cornerstone to Recovery ($20K)
Support from the Foundation will enable Cornerstone to Recovery to adapt existing programs to virtual platforms as well as provide new virtual programs, focusing on safety, recovery and wellbeing, to adults and families experiencing, and impacted by, substance abuse and addiction.
Matthew House Ottawa ($20K)
MHO’s Furniture Bank helps clients who cannot afford basic household items for a minimum standard of living. This grant will help MHO expand and modify the work of the Furniture Bank, which can no longer operate with volunteers (most of whom are seniors) due to COVID-19.
Many thanks to all the organizations who took the time to submit an application. We know that we can only serve a small fraction of the many organizations that require assistance during this crisis.
If your organization still requires emergency funding, we recommend reviewing the following resources:
- Imagine Canada has produced an up-to-date, comprehensive overview of Federal Government relief efforts that apply to charities and nonprofits. Click here for details
- The Federal Government has announced a $350M Emergency Community Support Fund, which is being distributed via Community Foundations of Canada, The Canadian Red Cross, and United Way. Click here for details.
- Innoweave and the McConnell Foundation have launched Leading through Crisis, a coaching stream for nonprofit leaders that includes Crisis Leadership Resources, 1-1 sessions with Crisis Mentors and other upcoming supports.