A new federal program with a pool of $400 million has groups trying to find out more about the fund, who qualifies and what is the best way to access the funding.
The Community Services Recovery Fund was built to respond to the adaptation and modernization needs of charities and non-profits facing the immediate and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fund will accept applications from Community Service Organizations, which means non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies, or Registered Charities located in Canada that provide services to communities in Canada.
The program is a partnership between the federal government, the Canadian Red Cross, United Way of Canada, and the Community Foundations of Canada. The program is really for community service and non-profit organizations said Kevin Parsons with Endow Manitoba which is an initiative of the Winnipeg Foundation.
"This program aims to improve community service organizations that can be thought of typically as charities or what we would call social purpose organizations. It allows those groups to improve themselves. As we know these groups are focused on helping those in our community and don't often have the time, opportunity, or funding to focus internally on projects that can help them either improve how they provide services or invest in pilot projects."
Parsons points out this money isn't for things like building projects.
This program has three streams of funding:
Investing in People 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: 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: Funding will support one-time projects primarily focused on program and service innovation and redesign using information gained during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In the pool I deal with there's a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $100,000. You can apply for more than that but then it goes to a national review committee rather than just here in Manitoba," said Kevin Parsons.
Organizations interested in applying for grants must submit an application by February 21st.