Area non-profits get more than $300,000 to help cope with pandemic losses

In Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, four non-profit organizations received funding under the Resilient Communities Fund for a total of $309,200.00 for 2020-21.

The recipients included the Community Care Health and Care Network, Haliburton Highlands Land Trust, The Land Between and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes. These grants from the province are part of the first round of funding through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

“Our community-based organizations provide crucial services to local residents and our government recognizes the importance of the continuation of these services especially during these challenging times,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock in a media release.

“This funding will help these local non-profit organizations adapt to the challenges COVID-19 has presented and re-tool to better service the needs of community.”

The Resilient Communities Fund provides grants of up to $150,000 to help eligible nonprofit organizations. They can apply for a broad and flexible range of needs, such as mental and physical health and wellbeing supports for staff or volunteers, identifying new health and safety processes, or purchasing new technology and personal protective equipment.

The fund will also provide grants to support capital needs, such as renovations and facility updates to meet the changing needs of the communities they serve.

“COVID-19 has resulted in a ‘triple threat’ of health, economic and social crises in Ontario, and this funding will help 486 non-profits adapt to those challenges, and ensure that they have the tools and resources to provide the best service to those who need it the most,” said Minister MacLeod.

“As we work towards the province’s economic and social recovery, supporting programs like the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund will make a real difference in the lives of individuals and families.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded $115 million to 645 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.

OTF has redirected provincial funding previously allocated for the 2020 Grow and Capital grant streams into the $83-million Resilient Communities Fund.