The Canadian Centre for Christian Charities (CCCC) asked its members in a recent blog: “Did you know that BC’s Recovery and Resiliency Fund for non-profits will launch in June 2022?”
That should apply to Christian ministries and churches, though the provincial government states that application criteria and guidelines aren’t yet finalized.
The CCCC said:
BC Budget 2022 provides $30 million of the funds, with the remaining $4 million from Vancouver Foundation. The funds will be administered by the Vancouver Foundation and United Way British Columbia. New Relationship Trust will administer at least $5 million of the fund specifically for Indigenous communities.
The fund provides “multi-year, unrestricted grants” to address both “short- and long-term needs” that provide flexibility for organizations and resources could be used for projects including capacity building, digital infrastructure, staff training and retention.
A release from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction stated:
A new $34 million fund for non-profit groups in British Columbia will provide much-needed support for organizations that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to struggle during recovery. . . .
The non-profit sector contributes $6.7 billion to the provincial economy and employs more than 86,000 British Columbians at approximately 29,000 non-profit organizations throughout the province.
Walter Schneider, CEO, New Relationship Trust, Kevin McCort, president and CEO, Vancouver Foundation, Michael McKnight, president and CEO, United Way British Columbia, Niki Sharma, BC’s Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits.
“Our government recognizes the important work non-profits do in building strength and resilience in our communities, which is why we have created a Recovery and Resiliency Fund,” said Niki Sharma, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits.
“They have been there for British Columbians during the challenges of the past year, and we will be there for them through economic recovery.”
A 2021 Vantage Point survey noted that due to the pandemic, 48% of non-profit organizations have experienced challenges such as reduced revenue, higher operating costs to deliver services, an increased demand for services and a decline in volunteers and limited financial reserves to bridge through COVID-19 impacts or to invest in technological infrastructure for a virtual transition.
The focus of the new fund is to support organizations whose staff, volunteers, programs and operations have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Funding will fill crucial gaps not covered by other funding sources, such as gaming grants, with a focus on building organizational resilience.
Go here for the full statement. Go here for the Vancouver Foundation statement and to sign up to be updated on the fund.