NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release:
Over $350,000 granted locally in second funding round of federal Emergency Community Support Fund
Government of Canada fund aims to help organizations adapt and increase frontline services for vulnerable populations during COVID-19.
Kingston, ON (December 4, 2020) – Local charities have received a boost of over $350,000 in federal funding to help them adapt and increase frontline services for vulnerable populations during COVID-19. This funding was delivered through a second round of funding of the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) – a $350 million fund announced by the Government of Canada in April.
Local granting was administered through the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area and United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington. Grant applications were accepted for this second round of funding from October 5 – October 30.
Both organizations saw a huge demand for this funding with grant requests far exceeding the available funding. The United Way KFL&A received over $470,000 in requests and the Community Foundation received requests surpassing $630,000 – for a combined total of over $1.1 million in asks for the $354,361 in available funding.
Both organizations relied on their experienced local grant review volunteers to review the numerous applications received and make final funding recommendations. The result: 22 projects totalling $193,343 funded through the United Way, and 14 projects totalling $164,018 through the Community Foundation.
“The needs in our community are great and will continue throughout and beyond the pandemic, but agencies and programs continue to adapt and rise to the challenge of continuing to help the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Bhavana Varma, President and CEO, United Way KFL&A. “This second round of funding allows these local organizations to continue their vital work and expand their programming where needed. The United Way is grateful for this much-needed support through the federal government during this global crisis.”
“We are pleased to have had the opportunity to take part in this program with United Ways and Community Foundations across the country, to leverage our local knowledge to ensure that the federal money flows quickly to where it is needed most” said Tina Bailey, Executive Director of the Community Foundation Kingston & Area. “With demands so high, our review teams had to make some tough choices, but I am confident that the funds allocated by both our organizations will be well used and help many of our most vulnerable at this difficult time”.
“Canadian charities and non-profit organizations play a vital role in our communities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing real challenges to these important organizations. The Government of Canada is pleased to support these organizations through the Emergency Community Support Fund so that they can continue to help the most vulnerable members of our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
– Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Ahmed Hussen
“Our local charities and agencies play a critical role in our community. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, these organizations have had to learn how to adapt and continue to deliver their vital services to those who rely on them. Since the beginning of this pandemic, there has been an increased demand for funding for our local charities and support services, and I am confident that the funding granted to the United Way KFL&A and the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area, through the Emergency Community Support Fund, will help these organizations continue their important work. I am proud that the Government of Canada will continue to support the valuable work of local charities and agencies in Kingston and the Islands, and across the country.”
– Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands
These new grants are in addition to the first round of ECSF grants announced in July of 2020.
This latest funding brings the total granted locally through the ESCF to over $1.5 million.
For details on grants in both rounds visit https://www.unitedwaykfla.ca/grants and www.cfka.org/ecsf-2-grants/
About the Emergency Community Support Fund
COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations in Canada.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, community-based charities and non-profit
organizations have been working tirelessly to provide emergency support of all kinds—in
particular, to individuals and communities experiencing continued or heightened
vulnerability. Demand for their services has increased dramatically. The Fund is
designed to help these organizations carry out their vital work to ensure no one is left
behind.
The funding is intended to support frontline community-based service providers who serve vulnerable Canadians, including low-income seniors, women, children and youth, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, refugees, Indigenous peoples and members of racialized communities.
Funded by the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund:
About United Way of KFL&A
United Way works with individuals, organizations and key partners in KFL&A to build and strengthen the community bringing people and resources together to facilitate change. Our vision is a future where people are self-sufficient in a community, where individuals live with hope, dignity and a sense of belonging. Stay up to date by following United Way KFL&A on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn or visit www.unitedwaykfla.ca
About the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area
The Community Foundation for Kingston & Area strengthens our community by connecting the generosity of donors with the energy and ideas of people and charities addressing local community needs. It is proud to be a ‘360-degree funder’ providing grants in all areas that enhance our community’s well-being. For more information visit, www.cfka.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter @CFKingstonArea and Instagram @cfkingstonarea.
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Media Contacts:
With social distancing in mind, interviews can be conducted via phone or Zoom.
United Way KFL&A
Mandy Pasch, Manager, Marketing and Communications
United Way KFL&A
613-876-3088, marketing@unitedwaykfla.ca
Bhavana Varma, President and CEO
United Way KFL&A
613-929-4828, bvarma@unitedwaykfla.ca
Community Foundation for Kingston & Area
Tina Bailey, Executive Director
Community Foundation for Kingston & Area
613.546.9696, tina@cfka.org
FUNDED BY THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR KINGSTON & AREA
14 Projects totalling $164,018
A full list of all grants from the Community Foundation, including both rounds of the ESCF can be found at www.cfka.org/ecsf-2-grants
| Agency | Program Description | Funding |
| Boys & Girls Club of Kingston & Area | Free After-school Meals for Children and Youth
|
$10,000 |
| Extend-A-Family Kingston | Deliver programs for individuals with disabilities and respite for their families | $15,000
|
| Independent Living Centre Kingston
|
Access to Technology to access needed community supports | $15,460 |
| Kingston Community Health Centres | Seniors’ Food Box – free box of healthy food delivered monthly | $16,507 |
| Kingston Interval House | Purchase of washer and dryer to allow for proper cleaning to be able to accept clothing donations | $3,295 |
| Lion Hearts Inc. | COVID-19 Street Project: to provide healthy food and emergency services to those in needs | $25,000
|
| Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres | Battling Isolation in North Frontenac through data enabled devices and tech training supports | $9,500 |
| Rural Frontenac Community Services | Being Creative at Home and Staying Warm: activity kits for children
|
$5,150 |
| Rural Frontenac Community Services | Winter Wellness for Rural Seniors: to build and maintain connections with isolated seniors | $3,750 |
| Ryandale Transitional House | Additional hours for House Manager during the pandemic | $3,780 |
| Sexual Assault Centre Kingston | Enhancing Capacity for Delivering Increased Support During COVID-19 | $17,700
|
| St. Vincent de Paul Society | Food Distribution – provide emergency food pantry items to allow families to cook at home | $25,000
|
| The Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston | Wash stations and PPE at their drop-in WE (women empowered ) Hub and the Community Residential Facility | $3,876 |
| The Food Sharing Project | Healthy Food for Vulnerable Students through delivery of breakfast and lunch food boxes to families to supplement in-school programs | $10,000 |
FUNDED BY THE UNITED WAY KFL&A
22 Projects totalling $190,343
A full list of all grants from United Way KFL&A, including both rounds of the ECSF, can be found at www.unitedwaykfla.ca/grants
| Agency | Program Description | Funding |
| Autism Society Ontario | Social 18+ Program to help keep adults with autism engaged through fun, supportive activities | $5,000.00 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area Inc. | COVID Compliant Transportation for After-school programs | $10,000.00 |
| Dawn House Services and Housing for Women | Virtual re-engineering of services and programs | $6,500.00 |
| Epilepsy South Eastern Ontario | UPLIFT program is cognitive behaviour therapy, delivered virtually | $7,500.00 |
| Extend-A-Family Kingston | Purchase of a new iMac to being able to run virtual programs | $2,500.00 |
| Freeing the Human Spirit | Mental health and wellness yoga and meditation for inmate populations | $10,000.00 |
| HIV/AIDS Regional Services | Indigenous Supports will provide Traditional Healing Circles once a week to ensure culturally appropriate programming is offered | $7,800.00 |
| HIV/AIDS Regional Services | Community Support Program giving people with lived experience the opportunity to support each other | $12,500.00 |
| Kingston Community Health Centres | Kids Get Stressed Too program | $10,000.00 |
| Kingston Youth Shelter Incorporated, The | Emergency shelter staffing and provision of meals and hygiene items | $20,000.00 |
| Maltby Centre | Transitional Aged Youth Mental Health Clinic | $7,000.00 |
| Maltby Centre – Family Engagement | Family Capacity Building and Support for issues exacerbated by COVID | $2,500.00 |
| Morningstar Mission Relief Inc. | COVID response Countywide Meal Program | $12,000.00 |
| Ontario Society for Crippled Children | Off season virtual camp – Easter Seals | $4,524.00 |
| Outreach St. George’s Kingston | Lunch by George Indoor Service Relaunch | $20,000.00 |
| Special Olympics Ontario | The Health at Home Project | $5,694.00 |
| St. Lawrence Youth Association | Community Services – provision of tablets for virtual engagement | $4,500.00 |
| Start2Finish Canada | Brainworx! Learning Enhancement Program for vulnerable children to address learning gaps amplified by COVID | $10,000.00 |
| The Kidney Foundation of Canada – Kingston Chapter | Provision of grocery store gift cards for dialysis patients | $1,500.00 |
| The Salvation Army | Holiday Support for Families and Children (Gift Cards) | $10,000.00 |
| YMCA of Eastern Ontario | Work Hard Eat Well program | $10,825.00 |
| Youth Diversion | Initiative to support youth 12-17 who are not/cannot engage in regular school settings | $10,000.00 |
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