United Way of Northern BC (UWNBC) has now completed the final round of allocations of its portion of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). The funding of just over $349,000 has been made to 25 programs enhanced or established due to the COVID-19 pandemic, benefiting 21 agencies to support vulnerable people in communities across northern B.C.
United Way of Northern BC received a total request of over $2.8 million through 88 applications to the ECSF for community programs and services that support our most vulnerable community members. The review committee comprised of members from various sectors representing the full geography of northern B.C. reviewed all the applications. UWNBC’s $858,000 portion of the ECSF has now been fully invested in 55 programs and 44 agencies filling significant gaps in resources that would otherwise have gone unfilled or left agencies to find alternate resources at this critical time. For the list of funded agencies, click here.
“The UWNBC team is pleased to support such a strong and valuable initiative to help our most vulnerable right when it’s needed most,” said Trista Spencer, Executive Director, UWNBC, in a news release. “Our mission is to connect resources to local needs in Northern BC and we are proud to say this fund has brought a new and exciting opportunity to communities right across the region. Thank you to the government agencies and people that made this all happen.”
The Emergency Community Support Fund is funded by the Government of Canada.
Although the Government of Canada’s funding has enabled the United Way to provide resources to many nonprofit organizations across the region to bring immediate support to those who have been adversely affected by the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, there is still a huge gap between the need and the resources available. UWNBC will continue to strive to fill these gaps and raise funds to meet the growing need but cannot do it alone.
“We urge everyone to step up and give generously so that light of hope can be brought to those who are struggling,” said Spencer. “You can make this happen by donating to our ‘Maximum Impact Fund’ by visiting unitedwaynbc.ca/donate.”
For more information go to the website unitedwaynbc.ca or contact them by phone at 250-561-1040 or email at info@unitedwaynbc.ca.