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Saskatoon Community Foundation Participates in New Emergency Community Support Fund

$629,660 in funding available in Saskatoon for charities supporting COVID-19 response

Saskatoon: May 19, 2020–Saskatoon Community Foundation announced today it will provide $629,660 to support local charities responding to COVID-19 as part of a new partnership with Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross, funded through the Government of Canada’s $350M Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). This vast national effort aims to support vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Saskatoon Community Foundation is among more than 100 local community foundations across Canada that are taking part.

“COVID-19 is not over. This is a vital step in continuing to protect our entire community against COVID19. This additional funding is a much-needed boost to the efforts of essential service charities.”

“COVID-19 is not over. This is a vital step in continuing to protect our entire community against COVID19,” says Saskatoon Community Foundation Executive Director Carm Michalenko. “Many supports have shut down during a time needed most. Essential service charities and non-profit organizations have stepped up with no funds and been working tirelessly to pivot their operations. This additional funding is a much-needed boost to their efforts to support all those that are vulnerable. We’re looking forward to working with the community partners to flow funds quickly to ensure no one in the community is left behind.”

The Emergency Community Support Fund was initially announced on April 21, 2020 by the Prime Minister of Canada. It is part of a broad series of emergency response measures by the Government of Canada.

“Canadian charities and not for profits are always there to help you, in your time of need. But the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing real challenges to these important organizations. With today’s announcement, the Government of Canada will be there for them so they can continue to be there for Canadians.” – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Starting on May 19, Saskatoon Community Foundation will begin accepting applications for funding from qualified donees. Grants can be used for a variety of purposes, including to cover staffing or resource needs, purchase assistance and more. Funding will be issued on an ongoing basis through July 2020. Charities and community organizations are invited to visit the foundation website for eligibility and application details.

“At Community Foundations of Canada, our purpose to “relentlessly pursue a future where everyone belongs” has never felt more important than it does right now,” said Andrea Dicks, Community Foundations of Canada President. “We’re grateful for the leadership of local community foundations like Saskatoon Community Foundation, who have been at the forefront of local response efforts since the pandemic was declared. Thanks to the Government of Canada’s contribution, our network will be able to unlock even more local impact for organizations serving vulnerable groups, helping us set the stage for more inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities.”

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With a vision to make Saskatoon the best community in which to live, the Saskatoon Community Foundation contributes to the quality of life in our city by building endowed and non-endowed funds, and by providing strategic grant making and philanthropic advisory services, as well as community leadership and mobilization. Saskatoon Community Foundation offers endowed funds in which donations are held in perpetuity, generating income to make grants. It also offers non-endowed funds where donors strategically grant their entire gift to several charities. And every year, the foundation grants to a range of community projects and initiatives on behalf of donors who have created unrestricted funds. Follow the Saskatoon Community Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.