Eight Delta charities, supporting populations more vulnerable than normal, during the health threat and economic downturn of the COVID-19 pandemic, have received $181,860 in funding from the Delta Foundation through the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF), launched in May.
A survey conducted in Aprilfound that 80 per cent of charities in Canada were operating with decreased capacity and nearly one in five organizations had suspended or ceased their operations. The projected financial losses for registered charities in Canada is between $9.5 billion and $15.7 billion.
Delta Foundation, one of 177 community foundations across the country participating in the ECSF program, provided this emergency support of charities throughout Delta in a partnership with Community Foundations of Canadaas well as the Government of Canada.
More than 15 charities, among the more than 85,000 registered charities in Canada, applied to Delta Foundation for support from the ECSF for various worthy causes, but, in the rapid response, rolling approval process (no submission deadline for all applications), the following charities serving Delta were allocated funding.
· Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland: $5,055 for its Study Buddy program which provides weekly, no-cost tutoring and mentoring, focused on school work and study skills, to at-risk youth aged seven to 17 from low income families.
· Deltassist Family and Community Services Society: $70,000 for the Temporary North Delta Food Bank, serving 708 people every two weeks who, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, are experiencing homelessness, job loss, or ongoing financial struggles and no access to local food banks which have been closed temporarily.
· Little House Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Society: $10,000 for the Heart of the Youth program, which provides youth affected by substance use disorder an online, safe, non-judgemental space to share their thoughts and feelings, begin to heal and develop a supportive community.
· Mamas for Mamas - Metro Vancouver: $30,000 for the Respond Like a Mother program, which helps low income mothers with access to the basics, such as food, hygiene, housing and other essential needs.
· Options Community Services: $8,000 for the Ready to Work (R2W) program, which aims to reduce barriers to finding employment post-COVID by increasing employability among clients experiencing mental illness.
· Reach Child and Youth Development Society: $25,805 for the Virtual Autism Early Intervention Therapies Program for children to continue to receiving support programs and services they need to reach their potential, and for families to receive support with the tools, materials, equipment and guidance necessary to support their child's continued development from home where in-person services are not feasible.
· Surrey-North Delta Meals on Wheels: $15,000 for the Subsidized Meals During COVID-19 Pandemic program for those in the community experiencing food and financial security issues and housebound due to the restrictions placed on them by the COVID-19 virus, loss of employment, immune compromised individuals or families so they stay safe and healthy, including seniors who are financially not able to ordinarily afford our meals to benefit as well.
· W I N G S Fellowship Ministries: $18,000 for the COVID-19 Mental Health and Well Being Project by providing self-help tools to support mental well-being along with a way to reduce their contact with other people by providing a grocery gift card and a way to transport their groceries.
“Since the start of the pandemic, charities and non-profit organizations have been leading the charge to assist those who need it most in the fight against COVID-19,” said Delta Foundation president Peter Roaf. “We know the need for funding is still significant. Delta Foundation has granted the full funding available to our community through the ECSF. There are other charities supporting vulnerable populations and we would have been glad to support them, but, unfortunately, we can’t accept any more applications.”
For charities which would like to be notified if any additional funding becomes available through ECSF, they can fill out this form.
Delta Foundation has been Delta's only community foundation since 1986. It provides an opportunity for donors to become community builders by helping them develop and achieve their philanthropic goals by matching their interests and concerns with community needs and opportunities. Then we find innovative and responsible ways to give their investments lasting impact for the long term.
