The $350 million Canada Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF), announced April 21, was activated yesterday: May 19.
This fund is designed to support charities and nonprofits as they perform a variety of activities to serve vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 crisis.
Activities could include:
- increasing volunteer-based home deliveries of groceries and medications
- scaling up help lines that provide information and support
- helping vulnerable Canadians access government benefits
- providing training, supplies, and other required supports to volunteers so they can continue to make their invaluable contributions to the COVID-19 response
- replacing in-person, one-on-one contact and social gatherings with virtual contact through phone calls, texts, teleconferences, or the Internet
This video briefly explains the ECSF grant application process.
Three national organizations are involved with the allocation of money. Each partner will manage and deliver their allocation of the Fund differently, and will target different applicants.
This chart below will give an idea of which stream is the best fit for you.
Here are the links for the partnering organizations:
- United Way Centraide Canada
- Local United Way Centraide members will accept and assess grant applications from charities through local portals. In some cases, local United Way Centraide members may also support non-profit organizations through an appropriate trustee relationship with a qualified donee.
- Visit this link to determine the United Way closest to you to begin your application.
- Canadian Red Cross:
- The Granting Program for Non-profits Please note that the Granting Program for Non-profits is open to non-profit applicants only.
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- Preventing Disease Transmission Training and Equipment is open for all eligible charities, qualified donees, and non-profit organizations.
- Community Foundations of Canada will provide support to qualified donees and registered charities supporting vulnerable populations.
- Qualified donees could include registered charities; registered Canadian amateur athletic associations; registered Canadian municipalities; and, registered municipal or public bodies performing a function of government in Canada.
- A qualified donee must be registered on the CRA’s list of qualified donees.