New Emergency Community Support Fund for Charities and Non-Profit Organizations

28. April 2020 0

On April 21, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund to help charities and non-profit organizations support Canadians who are most vulnerable to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  These vulnerable populations are experiencing a disproportionate impact of the pandemic in terms of health, social, and economic impacts.  They include: seniors, persons with disabilities, members of LGBTQ2 communities, veterans, newcomers, women, children and youth, and members of Indigenous communities and racialized communities, such as Black Canadians.

A portion of the funds will go directly to small independent organizations, and the remainder will go to national organizations such as the United Way Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and the Community Foundations of Canada.  These organizations will then allocate funds to local community-based groups that focus on working with these vulnerable populations.  This relief is intended to support activities such as:

  • Increasing volunteer-based home deliveries of groceries and medications
  • Providing transportation services, like accompanying or driving seniors or persons with disabilities to appointments
  • 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

Charities and non-profit organizations are also eligible to apply for the 75% wage subsidy that the government announced on March 27, 2020.

“While COVID-19 is affecting all Canadians, some people are more at risk to the impacts of the pandemic. Today’s announcement will further help our most vulnerable Canadians and ensure organizations have what they need to help. Canadians need to look out for one another in the these difficult times. We will get through this together.” – Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.

Changes to Provincial and Federal Covid-19 Benefits happen rapidly and often.  We update our helpful Benefit Chart just as frequently.  Stay current on the most essential benefits available by visiting our Chart.  We’ll be posting on LinkedIn whenever it is updated.  Or you can find it on the Harper Grey COVID-19 Resource Hub – check it out here.

This update was authored by Ryan Chan. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Or looking for more information on developments regarding the evolving COVID-19 pandemic? Contact Ryan at rchan@harpergrey.com or anyone else listed on the authors page.