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Sandra Richardson: Applications for community recovery grants set to open

In my column last month , I wrote about the new Unraveling report, which revealed the hardships civil society organizations are facing as we continue to struggle through this pandemic.
sandra richardson
CEO Sandra Richardson in her Victoria Foundation office.

In my column last month, I wrote about the new Unraveling report, which revealed the hardships civil society organizations are facing as we continue to struggle through this pandemic.

Some of its key findings included:

• 64% of organizations report a decreased ability to deliver programs, services and activities.

• 71% are expecting a budget shortfall in 2021.

• 59% report a drop in volunteer involvement.

Following up on the report, earlier this month we invited a broad range of local non-profits together for a Vital Conversation on the report, in the hopes of grounding its data in the truth of our community’s experience and then identifying ways to help build the sector back.

The event was an enormous success, with all the spaces filled within 48 hours. We heard from participants that the sector was in a difficult place even before the pandemic, for a variety of reasons, much of it due to unstable funding. Advice given on how to strengthen the sector included increased collaboration across the sector, better serving the clients, staff, and volunteers who make up these organizations, especially regarding mental health, and improved and stable funding.

It was an eye-opening session, with lots of great ideas, and I thank everyone who took part. We are planning more follow-up events and will make sure these issues are not ignored.

Another way the Victoria Foundation is working to support the sector is through the continuation of the Community Recovery Program (CRP). Applications for the CRP’s second round of granting open tomorrow, March 29 and funding from the CRP supports qualified recipients in the capital region with exactly what they’ve told us they need: flexible, general operating funds to respond to the social and economic impacts of the pandemic.

Last year’s first round of funding from the CRP saw over $2.3 million delivered to 126 organizations in our region to support immediate needs in the areas of health and wellness, homelessness prevention, gender equity and much more. Qualified organizations are encouraged to apply starting at noon March 29 up until midnight on Friday, April 30, on our website at victoriafoundation.ca.

It’s worth noting, too, that the CRP is directly supported by the Community Action Funds, which give donors the chance to support the specific causes that matter most to them, whether they be the arts, the environment, social justice or otherwise.

There are 10 different funds within this program, including the continuation of the Rapid Relief Fund, which Dave Obee marked the one-year anniversary of in the Times Colonist last Sunday. The generosity shown by our community during that campaign continues to inspire us to support the organizations in our region working so hard to make a difference.

sandra@victoriafoundation.bc.ca

Sandra Richardson is CEO of the Victoria Foundation.