GUELPH – The Guelph Community Foundation (GCF) has announced $345,510 dollars in grants to 21 local charities to address well-being needs to support vulnerable populations affected by COVID-19. The grants are funded through the federal government’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF), which was announced on May 19, 2020.
In a July 7 press release, the foundation states the grants will primarily support local organizations working with the community’s most vulnerable populations “who continue to be disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
“These funds will help thousands of people in our community who are facing ongoing and increasing challenges accessing sufficient food, housing, and mental health supports.”
The GCF volunteer Grants Committee and partners at the United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin have worked together to take a coordinated approach to get the most impact out of the resources available. Additionally, they worked with partners at Centre Wellington Community Foundation and Dufferin Community Foundation to support the needs in Wellington County.
“We are so happy to have been able to announce these grants, and at the same time we know that the need for funding remains significant across Guelph and Wellington County,” said Chris Willard, executive director of the Guelph Community Foundation.
“Our community needs to prepare for the secondary effects of this pandemic. Food insecurity, housing, jobs, substance abuse, trauma and grief are all being experienced at an increasing rate across demographics in our community. While parts of our economy and lives reopen, we need to make sure we don’t leave large populations without the support they need.”
In addition to the federal funds allotted, $205,000 has been raised by the community through the Guelph Community Foundation’s local Community Response Fund to support organizations responding to the pandemic on the frontlines.
The Guelph Community Foundation has now distributed the full funding available through Community Foundations Canada and is no longer accepting applications to ECSF. United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin is still accepting applications for the ECSF. For application information go to https://unitedwayguelph.com/ecsf/.
