Local groups to receive $587k in grants through Oakville Community Foundation

Ten local organizations are getting a much-needed financial boost from the Oakville Community Foundation (OCF) and federal government.

OCF, through Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund, is providing $587,000 in grants to help local community service organizations, charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies.

The funds come from a one-time federal investment of $400 million aimed at helping the groups adapt, modernize and be better equipped to improve the efficacy, accessibility and sustainability of the community services that they provide through the pandemic recovery and beyond.

“We’re thrilled to support these local organizations that continue to serve and support our community despite the struggles in recent years,” said Frances Pace, Director of Fundholder and Community Engagement at The Foundation. “With improved accessibility, sustainability and modernization, these organizations will be able to recover and adapt to the changing needs of our community.”

The 10 funded projects were part of the Investing in Systems and Process Project Focus Area. Each received over 90 per cent of what they asked for the following funding requests:

• $72,824 was invested to fund Bandology in order to upgrade policies, processes and procedures for programs that work with youth and children;
• $82,880 was invested to fund DAR Foundation in order to secure a strategic planning professional to assess current organizational structure and develop a long-term roadmap;
• $73,175 was invested to fund Halton Environmental Network in order to upgrade their work management system to organize, track and manage projects;
• $10,000 was invested to fund Oakville Art Society in order to update their logo and rebuild and redesign their website for marketing purposes;
• $40,000 was invested to fund Oakville Festivals of Film and Art in order to build a new B2B integrated sponsorship platform to drive sponsorship growth and engagement;
• $52,169 was invested to fund Oakville Galleries in order to develop and implement a new, modern, accessible website as part of their digital transformation;
• $98,136 was invested to fund Oakville Public Library – Halton Information Providers in order to hire an Indigenous Elder in Residence to provide teachings and cultural knowledge to staff, volunteers and the board as well as provide cultural teachers and guidance toward Truth and Reconciliation in Oakville;
• $37,867 was invested to fund St. Luke’s Anglican Church in order to undergo a digital transformation and modernization to ensure their processes are flexible and agile to quickly prepare for current and new conditions;
• $25,200 was invested to fund Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation in order to allow for more efficient and effective program delivery and fundraising through improved digital tools;
• $94,749 was invested to fund YMCA of Oakville in order to strengthen cultural connectedness and build resilience by implementing and modernizing two dedicated spaces for training and meetings.

Since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, community service organizations have struggled with increased demand for their services, reduced revenues, declines in charitable giving due to the rising cost of living, and a greater need to make use of digital tools.

“Community service organizations are at the heart of communities like Oakville, creating a sense of belonging from coast to coast to coast,” said Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. “The Community Services Recovery Fund will enable organizations that serve our diverse communities to adapt and modernize their programs and services and to invest in the future of their organizations, staff and volunteers.

“Together, we can rebuild from the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic and build a more just and equitable future for those in Oakville.”

The government’s Community Services Recovery Fund is delivered through Community Foundations of Canada, Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada.
The OCF is a local charitable solutions provider that acts as a philanthropic medium, investing donations to generate new money for the local community.

For more information, visit the OCF website here.