Some much-needed funding will soon be available to Airdrie charities and non-profit organizations that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Airdrie and District Community Foundation (ADCF) has been allocated $136,000 to disburse to registered charities before July 31. The funding comes from the federal government’s $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF), which aims to help charitable groups adapt and increase frontline services for vulnerable populations during the pandemic.
“COVID seems to be having a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable people in society – the poor, the elderly and the disadvantaged,” said ADCF Chair Dale Rathgeber. “This money ultimately comes from the federal government, but the federal government has asked community foundations across Canada to be part of distributing the money.”
The fund is in partnership with Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada.
Local charities that are registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can begin the application process by visiting communityfoundations.ca and following the links.
According to Rathgeber, the process can be tricky in municipalities that have both a community foundation and a United Way chapter. While Airdrie does not have a United Way chapter, the city does fall within the boundaries of United Way Calgary.
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Charities are eligible to apply more than once – and to different funders if they wish – for different projects or for different aspects of a large project. However, Rathgeber said, they cannot apply for funding for the same project from both ADCF and Calgary United Way.
“We intend to closely liaise with United Way Calgary to make sure we cover all the compelling applications from Airdrie,” he said.
“The danger if they apply to both is that the system might just toss it right out.”
Applications must be submitted before July 28 for activities occurring between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Proposals will be received and assessed on a weekly rolling basis.
According to Rathgeber, the maximum amount ADCF can dole out to a single application is $75,000, though he added United Way has the flexibility to grant higher amounts.
Charities that are not registered with the CRA can still apply for funding through the Red Cross, he added.
“We understand there is overlap between the community foundation and United Way Centraide funding streams, and that this can be confusing,” he said. “It is up to you as a registered charity to decide where you wish – and feel it’s most logical – to apply.”
Regardless of which avenue groups take to secure the funding, Rathgeber said ECSF will provide a necessary boost to local charities, considering many have seen a decrease in revenue since the pandemic began.
“I’m expecting this to be over-subscribed significantly,” he said.
“Charities are also having a tough time because a lot of their fundraisers are public gatherings, and they have had to be cancelled or postponed indefinitely.”
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
