Open Call for Community Services Recovery Fund (Canada)

Deadline: 21-Feb-23

The Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) is inviting applications for Community Services Recovery Fund.

ACF is proud to be working with community foundations across Canada as part of the Community Services Recovery Fund. This fund is a collaboration between Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada to provide funding to Community Service Organizations including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies and Registered Charities located in Canada.

The Community Services Recovery Fund responds to what charities and non-profits need right now and supports organizations as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic. They will be accepting applications from Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope and Agassiz.

Project Focus Areas

• Projects funded by the Community Services Recovery Fund will work within one of the Project Focus Areas. These projects should be designed to strengthen the internal capacity of CSOs. Although some projects may touch on more than one Project Focus Area, eligible organizations are asked to select one primary focus area that best reflects the main intention of the project.
  • Investing in People : Funding will support one-time projects that focus on how organizations recruit, retain, engage and support their personnel, including staff, volunteers and boards of directors.
  • Investing in Systems and Processes: Funding will support one-time projects that invest in the systems and processes involved in creating the internal workings of an organization’s overall structure.
  • Investing in Program and Service Innovation and Redesign: Funding will support one-time projects primarily focused on program and service innovation and redesign using information gained during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding Information

• Tier 1 project funding is from $10,000 to $100,000. Most projects will fall under Tier 1.
• Tier 2 provides higher funding amounts for larger-scale projects that meet specific criteria. Available Tier 2 project funding is from $100,001 to $200,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Community Services Recovery Fund will accept applications from Community Service Organizations, which means non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies or Registered Charities located in Canada that provide services to communities within Canada
• Non-profit Organizations
• Unincorporated and incorporated associations, clubs, or societies that are not registered charities or individuals but are organized and operate exclusively for social welfare, civic improvement, pleasure, recreation, or any other purpose except profit.
• Indigenous Governing Bodies
• Indigenous governing bodies that are not registered as qualified donees or non-profits, such as First Nations bands, Métis settlements, and Inuit governments or associations.
• Registered Charities/Other Qualified Donees
• Charities and other qualified donees registered with the Canada Revenue Agency, that are not listed as an ineligible organization
• Eligible Organizations
  • To be considered eligible for funding from the Community Services Recovery Fund, organizations must meet all of the following criteria:
    • Be a Community Service Organization, as defined
    • Be incorporated or established in Canada or have a principal registered office address in Canada
    • Provide services to communities in Canada
    • Be in good standing with the Canada Revenue Agency, a provincial registry, or applicable regulatory body
    • Have a governance structure in place with at least three people on the board, management committee, or other type of governing body
    • Have internal accountability measures such as practices and procedures for internal controls and accountability
    • Have a bank account in the name of the organization and a financial management system to track the organization’s income and expense transactions effectively
    • Be working in one or more of the community services areas listed from the International Classification of Non-Profits:
      • Arts and culture
      • Development and housing Education and research (provincial/territorial entities are excluded)
      • Environment
      • Health (provincial/territorial entities are excluded)
      • Law, advocacy and politics
      • Philanthropic intermediaries and voluntarism promotion
      • Social services
      • Sports and recreation
      • Faith-based.

Eligible Expenses

• Eligible expenses include reasonable expenses that are directly related to the project, in furtherance of the project’s purpose and activities, and that have been actually and properly incurred.
• Personnel – wages and employmentrelated costs
• Contractors – fees for professional services
• Materials and supplies
• Project equipment
• Travel expenses
• Training and events
• Administration.

For more information, visit Abbotsford Community Foundation.