THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay charities will have access to more than $700,000 in federal funds meant to support vulnerable populations through the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund, which will be administered by the Thunder Bay Community Foundation (TBCF) and United Way of Thunder Bay, is part of a $350 million national program announced in April.
The $707,000 Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) opened Tuesday to registered charities, amateur athletic associations, and municipalities across northwestern Ontario. Funding will be given out on a rolling basis, with no limits to how much can be granted to any one organization or project, the TBCF said.
Albert Brulé, United Way of Thunder Bay CEO, said the funding will be a welcome reprieve for charities facing increased demand and decreased fundraising opportunities.
"What we're hearing is there's sort of a double whammy," he said. "On the one hand, the demand for services has gone up for many of these organizations. At the same time, regular sources of funding have been impacted through cancellation of events [and the] inability to do fundraising, because supporters have been negatively impacted or have lost their jobs."
“Local charities and non-profit organizations have been working tirelessly to support those who need it most right now,” said executive director Alexandra Calderon. “This additional funding is a much-needed boost to their efforts.”
Brulé anticipates significant demand for the fund. Another recent emergency fund for seniors programs, overseen by the United Way, added up to three times more than the amount available, he said.
The ECSF is intended to support projects that “address a pressing social inclusion or well-being need caused by COVID-19,” according to federal government criteria. Projects must serve a “vulnerable population,” which includes a broad range of groups: children and youth, women and girls, seniors, caregivers, essential workers, those living in poverty, and more.
Examples of eligible projects include the development of online services to replace in-person programming and the expansion of services to meet increased needs caused by the pandemic.
A joint review panel established by the local United Way and TBCF, including community representation from across the region, will meet weekly to decide on the allocation of funds.
The funding can cover expenses incurred between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. The deadline for applications is July 27.
