On October 5, 2020, United Way Elgin Middlesex launched a second call for applications for the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). The fund provides financial support to charities and other qualified donees adapting their frontline services to support vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government of Canada released $73.9M, the balance of funding for the $350M ECSF, which 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 that 13 organizations have been approved for a total of $538,026 in grants to support local programs.
“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.”
While many of these grants will help local agencies meet increasing demand for food and basic needs, including winter boots and coats, several grants target specific needs for populations especially hard-hit by COVID-19, including:
- Rainbow Optimist Club SW Ontario (Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation) – $31,275 – Education and digital events for rural LGBT2Q+ youth who are socially isolated due to the pandemic. Serves Elgin and Middlesex counties.
- Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre – $33,905 – Emergency food hampers for urban indigenous families experiencing new or worsening food insecurity as a result of the pandemic. Serves London.
United Way Elgin Middlesex is proud to support this important investment of $538,026 into our local communities. The organization received 42 applications requesting grants to meet high priority needs related to COVID-19 across our region. Funding requests totalled $1,809,880.
“Charities and non-profit organizations are at the heart of our communities, helping the most vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 crisis, says The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. “The Government of Canada is pleased to support these organizations through the Emergency Community Support Fund so that they can continue their invaluable work.”
In total, United Way Elgin Middlesex has provided 32 organizations with $2,735,754 in ECSF grants to meet high priority needs across our region.
“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.”
In addition to this second round of ECSF funding, United Way allocated eight new grants totalling $279,175 through its Local Love in a Global Crisis (LLGC) COVID-19 community response fund. To date, United Way has disbursed $957,992 in grants, thanks to donations from individuals, corporations and private foundations.
Grants include $60,000 for St. Joseph’s Hospice of London for technology upgrades such as internet-connected iPads so that patients can hear a familiar voice and see the faces of loved ones, things they want most at the end-of-life when being in person is not possible.
Round 2 Emergency Community Support Fund
grant recipients
For a full list of grant recipients, visit unitedwayem.ca/community-investments/
