Applications are now being accepted by the Prince George Community Foundation for the newly created Emergency Response Fund to help with COVID-19 relief in the Prince George community.
Thanks to the generous support from the community during the virtual Stay-at-Home Gala which took place in May, the Prince George Community Foundation has created an Emergency Response Fund (ERF) to support local COVID-19 response efforts. Eligible projects could receive up to $5,000 in grant funding through the ERF program. Applicants to the ERF program must be located in Prince George.
“The ability of charities and other organizations in our community to respond to the unique and growing needs of vulnerable populations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has been put under strain,” said Alain LeFebvre, Prince George Community Foundation board president. “Our hope is that these programs will provide some support to those who are working hard to address the needs of those in our communities who are most impacted by this crisis.”
The Stay-at-Home Gala raised $52,308.26 which allowed the foundation to create the Emergency Response Fund and put the dollars into action immediately. Applications for the ERF are being accepted until July 31, 2020 with funds expecting to be disbursed in August 2020.
Additionally, the PGCF is managing the application process and disbursement of funds for the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF), a $350 million investment made by the Government of Canada to support vulnerable populations as they manage the impacts of COVID-19. The program is being delivered in partnership with Community Foundations of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada. This program has granted more than $160,000 to communities throughout our service area in Northern BC so far. More details about this fund can be found on our website at www.pgcf.ca
“The Prince George Community Foundation believes in the future of Prince George and it is during times like these where we must come together, now more than ever,” said Mindy Stroet, director of development for the foundation. “We’re so thankful to be partnered with Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada, and the Canadian Red Cross to deliver the Emergency Community Support Fund. We’re also so thankful for our generous donors whose ongoing support has enabled us to create the Prince George Emergency Response Fund. These combined efforts will provide meaningful funding to support those on the front-line of this crisis.”
Both of these programs are designed to support organizations serving vulnerable populations, including:
- Children, youth and the elderly
- Vulnerable workers and caregivers
- Populations requiring specific supports such as those experiencing homelessness, struggling with addiction, living with mental illness, living in poverty, prison populations, veterans, post-secondary students
- Marginalized communities such as official language minority communities, women and girls, members of the LGBTQ2s+ communities, immigrants and refugees, racialized people, indigenous people
The demands that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on the charitable sector in our communities is significant as more and more people enlist the help of charities for support. These programs are aimed to help expand local capacity to address the impacts of the pandemic and support those most impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Examples of eligible projects include:
- Providing access to emergency supplies such as food, sanitary equipment, personal hygiene, clothing, personal protective equipment, etc.
- Creation of a digital health platform to continue mental health and addictions recovery programming
- Purchase of food kits for marginalized families experiencing interrupted support services
- Technology purchase and service enabling seniors in-residence to connect with their families virtually
- Remote arts programming for vulnerable youth
Application materials and guidelines are available at www.pgcf.ca.
For more information about the Prince George Community Foundation or the COVID-19 emergency support funds, please contact us via email at info@pgcf.ca