GUELPH – United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin and the Guelph Community Foundation are now accepting funding 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 populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund was initially announced on April 21 by the Prime Minister. It is part of a broad series of emergency response measures by the Government of Canada.
United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin and the Guelph Community Foundation received $675,000 and $345,000 respectively.
“We know that our community’s social service sector is experiencing great hardships right now, and yet, each and every day they are working harder than ever to ensure our community has access to basic needs and vulnerable populations are supported,” said Rick McCombie, executive director, United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin.
“This is a vital step in the fight against COVID-19,” said Chris Willard, executive director, Guelph Community Foundation. “This additional funding will provide a much-needed boost to our community organizations. This announcement will strengthen the local partnership we’ve already built with the United Way and the collaborative Covid-19 Response Fund we launched together in March. With the support of our board and volunteers, we’ll get these funds working in our community as fast as possible to make sure that no one in our community is left behind.”
Strengthen communities
“The Guelph Community Foundation and United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin bring together local charitable giving, local charities and volunteers to support vulnerable people in Guelph, and strengthen our community,” said Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield. “Both organizations build capacity through historic and new partnerships and through this Fund, will ensure that those who need help during the COVID-19 crisis have access to it.”
Grants can be used for a variety of purposes, including to cover staffing or resource needs, purchase equipment, technology and more.
Funding will be issued on an ongoing basis through July 2020. Charities and community organizations are invited to visit unitedwayguelph.com/ECSF and guelphcf.ca for eligibility and application details. In some cases, United Way and the Guelph Community Foundation may jointly fund projects.
