The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta and the United Way of Lethbridge and South Western Alberta announced Jan. 6 their participation in the Community Services Recovery Fund, a one-time investment of $400 million by the Government of Canada to support the charitable sector’s pandemic recovery.

The CSRF, which will be facilitated by local community foundations, Canadian Red Crosses and United Ways across the country, will provide Canada’s charitable sector with the tools needed to adapt, modernize and be better equipped to improve their efficacy, accessibility and sustainability.

Funding from the CSRF will enable the charitable sector to invest in its own organizational capacity to adapt the way it delivers services to support the needs of staff and volunteers; buy equipment such as computers and software; create new ways of working, such as developing new fundraising approaches; provide support for staff and volunteers, such as staff training, supports for mental health and well-being; and develop plans to receive funding from diverse sources.

The Community Foundation has $570,000 available to award, while the United Way has $419,024 available, for a total of $989,024 to support southwestern Alberta’s charitable sector.

“The charitable sector plays a critical role in our community’s well-being,” said Charleen Davidson, Community Foundation executive director. “Through the CSRF, southwestern Alberta now has additional resources to help organizations make updates and changes necessary so that they can continue to support our community.”

“The CSRF responds to what charities and non-profits need right now,” said Jaci Zalesak, United Way Lethbridge and South Western Alberta executive director. “Funding will ensure there is a meaningful impact in our communities to strengthen organizations, their systems, programs and people.”

The application period runs from Jan. 6 to Feb. 21, 2023. For more information, contact the Community Foundation’s grants co-ordinator, Caitlin Gajdostik by email, or the United Way’s Executive Director, Jaci Zalesak, by email or www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca.

Join the CSRF team for a walk-through of the program and its guidelines. This session will give insight on the Community Services Recovery Fund, its eligibility criteria, timelines and next steps. We will also go through filling out an application.

“The government supports a more inclusive model of economic growth that creates opportunities for everyone in Canada as the long-term recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic continues,” said Karina Gould, federal minister of families, children and social development.

“The Community Services Recovery Fund will strengthen the ability of charities and non-profits to deliver services and resources where they will have the most impact,” she said. “Because of the national funders’ strong connections with local organizations, they will ensure funding is distributed efficiently to organizations that provide services to communities in need across Canada.”

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