On November 22, the Government of Canada announced a $400 million investment in a national COVID recovery fund to support charities, non-profits and Indigenous Governing Bodies. Quadra Island Foundation is working with the Community Foundations of Canada, Canadian Red Cross, and United Way to distribute funding. There will be approximately $100,000 to distribute for Quadra Island organizations and those in Strathcona Regional District Area C, which will be specifically targeted to investing in systems and processes.
“Volunteers and local organizations have a long legacy of providing vital community service on Quadra Island. This funding will help island organizations strengthen and adapt to the changing needs of the community, and adapt for future community service,” says QIF’s volunteer board chair Michael Mascall.
Funding from the Community Services Recovery Fund will enable Quadra Island organizations (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 staff and volunteers
- buy equipment such as computers and software
- create new ways of working, such as developing new publicity or fundraising approaches
- provide support for staff and volunteers, such as training, and mental health support
- develop plans to receive funding from diverse sources
Community groups must apply for funding by February 21 and complete funded projects by the end of June 2024. Online applications will be available January 6 at communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca. Registration for a How to Apply Webinar (January 12) is available on this same page. QIF’s project coordinator will begin reaching out to community groups January 6.
Please direct any questions about our granting process, potential applications, or technical support to Sarah Deagle at grants@quadraislandfoundation.ca.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment to help charities and not-for-profits adapt and modernize. Community Foundations of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada are working together to deliver funding to qualifying organizations.
Funding from the program will not be available for direct program or service delivery. It is to support organizations as they transform, modernize and build resilience. Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $20,000.
Applicants can only apply once, to one of the following project focus areas:
- Investing in People (Red Cross): Funding will support one-time projects that focus on how organizations recruit, retain, engage and support their personnel, including staff, volunteers and boards of directors.
- Investing in Systems and Processes (Community Foundations of Canada): Funding will support one-time projects that invest in the systems and processes involved in creating the internal workings of an organization’s overall structure.
- Investing in Program and Service Innovation and Redesign (United Way): Funding will support one-time projects primarily focused on program and service innovation and redesign using information gained during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Criteria for applying – Community groups must:
- be a community service organization (charity, non-profit or Indigenous)
- be registered in Canada
- provide service in Canada
- have a governance structure of three or more people
- have a bank account and track income and expenditure
- have internal controls and accountability
Community groups can complete an eligibility quiz on the Community Services Recovery Fund website to determine which national funder to apply through. Visit www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca to find out more about how to apply, explore resources for applicants, and sign up for upcoming webinars.
The deadline for applications is February 21, 2023.
More details and examples will be provided on the website on January 6, 2023.
When the fund was announced on November 22, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, said, “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.”
