Partnering with local community foundation pays dividends
Today the Oakville Community Foundation is able to announce new funding thanks to partnerships established by Community Foundations of Canada, our national network. The Foundation has granted an additional $321,500 to 15 local charities through the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) and the Equality Fund, both funded by the Government of Canada.
“As a member of the national organization, we are privileged to be able to participate in funding opportunities that provide local charities the benefits of national funding at a local level,” said Sarah McPherson, Director – Philanthropy and Communications.
The ECSF commenced in the Spring of 2020, and this is the second round enabling The Foundation to distribute an additional $181,500 to nine local charities operating in the Oakville area. Since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March of 2020, local charities have been working to provide emergency support to vulnerable populations in the community, including older persons, children and youth, Black, Indigenous and people of colour, persons with disabilities and persons experiencing low income.
Round 1 of the ECSF was distributed over the summer and Round 2 launched in the fall of 2020. The ECSF is a $350 million fund implemented with Community Foundations of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centreaide Canada, in partnership with local foundations across the country. Its goal was to provide support to charities and non-profit organizations supporting vulnerable Canadians.
For information on the projects funded through the ECSF, click here.
The Foundation was also one of 21 community foundations across Canada that took part in the The Equality Fund, granting $140,000 to seven local charities that are supporting women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender diverse individuals working towards a future grounded in equity, inclusion and justice.
The charities being funded span a variety of purposes, including efforts to pilot new initiatives, to address long-standing community needs, or to support a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation also took part in the Pilot Fund for Gender Equality.
We would also like to thank the review team responsible for selecting successful applications to the Equality Fund:
- Alicia Sullivan
- Leena Sharma Seth
- Lois Thomas
- Marcus Logan
- Mary Lui
For more information on the projects funded through the Equality Fund, click here.
“The Foundation is proud to distribute these grants through the ECSF and the Equality Fund to charities that are supporting the community’s most vulnerable people and those working towards equity, inclusion and justice” said Frances Pace, Director – Fundholder and Community Engagement at the Oakville Community Foundation. “Since March 2020, The Foundation, it’s Fundholders and donors have granted more than $2.6 million to local charities working on the frontlines, including through the ECSF, The Foundation’s Resiliency Fund and GIVEOakville.”
-30-
Oakville Community Foundation
The Oakville Community Foundation is a registered charity in its 26th year of Building Community Through Philanthropy. The Foundation acts as a vehicle for community members to fulfill their charitable passions and has granted $48.6 million to charitable organizations since its inception. The Foundation also supports investments of more than $110 million in assets. We welcome families, businesses and residents into our community and give everyone the opportunity to be a philanthropist. The Foundation is one of the largest members of a national network of more than 190 Canadian community foundations.
For all media inquiries please contact:
Sarah McPherson – Director, Philanthropy & Communications
sarah@theocf.org | 905-844-3562 x. 302
