United Way Centraide Canada, in partnership with its network of local members, is one of three intermediaries administering Round 2 of the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). This is the final installment of the $350M investment by the Government of Canada to support charities and non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations who are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Fund, originally announced on April 21, 2020, provides critical support for community-based organizations that have experienced a drastic increase in demand for their services since the start of the pandemic and have had to adapt how they deliver their services to keep their clients, often vulnerable people, safe.

The application process for Round 2 of the ECSF closed October 30, 2020. Local United Ways and Centraides are processing applications and making their granting decisions. Agencies will be notified of the status of their application by the end of December at the latest. United Way Centraide Canada will report on the grants made through Round 2 of the ECSF in early 2021.

Each United Way and Centraide has extensive knowledge of the needs in their communities. Combined, the network of United Ways and Centraides serves more than 5,000 towns, villages, and cities from coast to coast. United Way Centraide continues to ensure equitable distribution of these funds, while also strengthening services and supports for vulnerable Canadians. Funding decisions for the ECSF Round 2 will be made quickly to get funds where they are needed most.

The Canadian Red Cross and Community Foundations of Canada are also administering funds from the ECSF through separate granting streams.

“Round 1 of the Emergency Community Support Fund provided funding to more than 7,000 vital programs serving vulnerable people. These grants helped keep communities strong and ensure that Canadians living in areas rural, urban, and remote, could access supports when and if they needed them.” said Dan Clement, President & CEO, United Way Centraide Canada. “We’re proud to continue this partnership with the Government of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and Community Foundations of Canada. Together, and through our local members, we’re working with community organizations to make sure no one gets left behind.”

Read the Emergency Community Support Fund FAQs

The Emergency Community Support Fund is funded by the Government of Canada.