The pandemic brought uncertainty to all organizations. Priorities shifted. Focuses needed to be specific. Foundations experienced these similar issues with a necessary question of: where should the money go? Unsurprisingly, foundations stepped up in the face of the pandemic, and continue to do so. Many organizations across Canada made money available to help with the on-going fight against the COVID-19, aiming to help the most vulnerable populations.
At a federal level, the Emergency Community Support Fund, an over $350 million investment, led the way. The fund, administered by Community Foundations of Canada, required two rounds of funding applications. In total, 183 foundations across Canada received funding for their communities to utilize. Community Foundations of Canada provided the most money to individuals living at or below the poverty level with just under $45 million. Children and youth organizations saw under
$40 million, while veterans organizations and seniors/elders received over $22 million among the funding pool.
The projects were endless, touching all facets of everyday life. Funding went to summer day camps and laptops for remote learning in Manitoba. In Yellowknife, funds went to replace a delivery van to ensure services could be met for countless individuals in need.
In a Prince Edward Island town, tablets were given to isolated seniors so they could communicate with their loved ones.
Another PEI community received funding for an overdose prevention project. In Saskatchewan, virtual courses were offered that promoted mental health wellness.
The challenges of the pandemic knew, and still know, no boundaries. Mundane citizen struggles seemed to be even more paramount, and that meant funds became vaster. So many different groups of people had hardships. What was once considered simple, like seeing a grandchild or attending school, became difficult. Already challenging things became even more so.
The Emergency Community Support Fund became a lifeline for community foundations across Canada. It’s where some of the funding community foundations employed to organizations within their region originated, but it wasn’t the only funding mechanism.
The Yellowknife Community Foundation had their most giving year ever in 2020, granting over $680,000 directly or contributed through partnerships such as the Community Foundations of Canada. Wood Buffalo Community Foundations granted over $1 million to 36 organizations. These are just a couple examples of community foundations that made a difference. Larger foundations, such as the Calgary Foundation and the Ontario Trillium Foundation, have had plenty of success helping others as the pandemic persisted.
Calgary Foundation adapted the Pandemic Recovery Program at the onset of the pandemic. In total, over $14 million went directly to charities within Calgary. These funds went to organizations for technology services and the re-opening of a zoo. Around $6,500 went to Calgary Philharmonic Society for a web series for children, while $42,000 went to an organization for mental health psychosocial support. Grants helped schools with remote learning and emergency assistance for those most in dire need.
Ontario Trillium Foundation created the Resilient Communities Fund, which has already supported 1000 projects and counting. Through two rounds of funding, over $42 million has been given to over 500 non-profit organizations across Ontario. These organizations used funds to buy air purifying systems and person protective equipment. They improved digital infrastructure in order for programs and services to be available online. Additional funds went to the installation of room dividers and plexiglass to enhance safety and limit COVID-19 exposure. Awarded amounts range from $5,000 to $150,000. Projects needed to accomplish one of five outcomes, which included: equipping employees with supports to implement new approaches; improve and increase ability to access financial resources and develop new alternative sources of revenues; adapt the delivery of programs and services to meet community needs; procure equipment or renovate spaces to meet organizational requirements and create and/or adopt approaches for organizations to work together to meet community needs.
The Max Bell Foundation, as a private foundation, showed it wasn’t just community foundation organizations committed to pandemic funding as they added nearly 20 percent to their grants budget in 2020, partnering with United Ways, to support community-based funds throughout Canada. A communality among private foundations was that. Many halted programs, or altered established ones, with the main focus being emergency funds for pandemic-related activities.
Foundations of all shapes and sizes demonstrated that one certainty could shine amongst the uncertainties.
