NICKEL BELT – GREATER SUDBURY- COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on vulnerable Canadians, creating a greater need for community-based supports. This is why the Government of Canada has been working with national partners—Community Foundations of Canada, Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada—to disburse the Emergency Community Support Fund.

The Emergency Community Support Fund’s first round of funding launched on May 19, 2020, and helped charities deliver over 7,000 projects and provide much-needed assistance to vulnerable members of Canada’s communities and right here in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. Today the national intermediaries delivering the fund—United Way Centraide Canada, Community Foundations of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross—will open their second application process for community organizations, focusing on addressing the evolving needs of communities and ensuring the funds reach all vulnerable groups in an equitable way.

The Government of Canada recognizes that charities and non-profit organizations are undertaking essential front-line work, all while facing their own fundraising and service delivery challenges. This funding will allow organizations to offer various services, 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;
• providing training, supplies and other required supports to volunteers so they can continue to make their invaluable contributions to the COVID-19 response; and
• replacing in-person, one-on-one contact and social gatherings with virtual contact through phone calls, texts, teleconferences or the internet. 

Eligible organizations should apply through the appropriate intermediary organization for funding before the deadline of October 30^th, 2020.
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“Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury charities and non-profit organizations have played a crucial role in ensuring our vulnerable populations have the support they need through this pandemic. They continue to make a true difference in the lives of residents even as they deal with operational and funding challenges. The second round of Emergency Community Support funding will allow organizations to further assist those who need it most and help them adapt to the changing needs our communities face. I encourage all eligible organizations to apply without delay.” – Marc G. Serré, MP Nickel Belt

 Facts

• The Government of Canada has invested $350 million through the Emergency Community Support Fund to help charities and non-profit organizations adapt front-line services for vulnerable Canadians during COVID-19.
• As of September 1st, 2020, $193.4 million has been disbursed, supporting over 7,134 community projects in this time of crisis.
• As community-based service providers, many charities and non-profit organizations are on the front lines, serving critical social inclusion, well-being and safety needs during the pandemic.
• On October 5, 2020, the second round of applications for the Emergency Community Support Fund will open through the websites of Community Foundations of Canada, Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada.
• These three national partners will take a targeted approach to make sure the Emergency Community Support Fund reaches all vulnerable groups in an equitable way.
• Eligible organizations include those that work with vulnerable groups, including seniors, persons with disabilities, children and youth, women, members of LGBTQ2 communities, members of racialized communities and members of official language minority communities.

Important links

Community Foundations of Canada
United Way Centraide Canada
Canadian Red Cross

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Contact
Kaylie Dudgeon
Special Assistant
Marc G. Serré MP Nickel Belt
705-897-2222