On May 19, United Way Elgin Middlesex launched a call for applications for the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). This fund provides financial support to charities and other qualified donees adapting their frontline services to support vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ECSF is funded by the Government of Canada and is being administered locally in collaboration with United Way Centraide Canada, Community Foundations of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.
Today, United Way Elgin Middlesex is pleased to share an update on the recipients of this funding. From May 19 to June 12, United Way received 60 applications requesting grants of up to $150,000 to meet high priority needs related to COVID-19 across our region. Funding requests totalled nearly $4.5M.
“This critical investment will ensure rapid relief reaches those who need it most. It’s just one way we’re working together to keep our region strong through an uncertain recovery.”
Priority was given to frontline social service organizations who provide services to vulnerable Canadians, including low-income seniors, women, children and youth living in poverty, persons with disabilities, newcomers, members of racialized communities, people experiencing homelessness and more.
In total, 23 organizations received approximately $2.2M in grants, including:
- John Howard Society of London and District – $150,000 – Wrap-around supports including counselling, housing, reintegration supports and basic needs for individuals in London facing homelessness following release from prison during the pandemic.
- Central Community Health Centre – $61,677 – Primary care services, harm reduction supplies, and basic needs to people experiencing homelessness through a Mobile Unit in Elgin County
- Addiction Services Thames Valley – $69,000 – Access to technology to facilitate personal and professional supports, including housing stability support, for participants of the Street Level Women at Risk program in London
- Learning Disabilities Association – London Region – $55,324 – Literacy and mental health support for children/youth across Elgin and Middlesex with learning disabilities to address academic and social-emotional gaps widened by distance learning and the COVID-19 pandemic
- London Cross Cultural Learner Centre – $110,400 – The Healthy Pantry program will provide newcomers in London with access to food and information resources
See the full list of grant recipients
United Way Elgin Middlesex is proud to support the Government of Canada’s important investment of almost $2.2M into our local communities. This investment meets just over half of the nearly $4.5M requested from frontline agencies to respond to COVID-19 in our region.
United Way Elgin Middlesex initially received $1.3M in ECSF funding. In June, United Way Centraide Canada requested applications for additional ECSF funds to respond to local, evolving, unmet needs related to COVID-19, including economic impact and geographic costs. United Way was successful in attaining almost $1M more funding.
United Way Elgin Middlesex was one of nearly 40 United Way Centraides across Canada who submitted applications requesting over $31 million in additional funding.
“We are proud to administer the Emergency Community Support Fund locally on behalf of the Government of Canada, alongside the London Community Foundation and their peers in Elgin and Aylmer,” says Kelly Ziegner, President & CEO, United Way Elgin Middlesex. “This critical investment will ensure rapid relief reaches those who need it most. It’s just one way we’re working together to keep our region strong through an uncertain recovery.”
United Way Elgin Middlesex solicited ECSF grant applications through an open call May 19 to June 12 to frontline social service agencies serving Elgin and Middlesex counties. All grants will be disbursed by July 31, 2020.
About our community’s coordinated response to the COVID-19 crisis
United Way Elgin Middlesex, London Community Foundation, Aylmer Area Community Foundation and Elgin-St. Thomas Community Foundation worked together to maximize more than $3.2M in local Emergency Community Support Fund investments. Granting decisions were coordinated to avoid duplication and meet our region’s most pressing needs during the coronavirus outbreak. Together, we are keeping our community strong.
About the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF)
The Government of Canada’s $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund aims to help charities and non-profit organizations adapt and increase frontline services for vulnerable populations during COVID-19. 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 organizations carry out their vital work to ensure no one is left behind.
Emergency Community Support Fund grant recipients
United Way Elgin Middlesex’s COVID-19 grant summary
