Responding to COVID-19—Grants to include Emergency Response

These are challenging times as we navigate how best to respond in order to keep our residents safe. For applications coming in for our Annual Foundation Grant, and Neighbourhood Small Grants:

• The Annual Foundation Grant applications will be accepted (with extended deadline) until April 15th. During the COVID-19 health crisis, we will also consider emergency response projects.
• The Neighbourhood Small Grants applications are open to be received until April 30th. These are unique social re-adjustment moments and we are open to all ideas from the community. We are listening—and can help even if the idea doesn’t conform to NSG rules. The program will accept more than one application from anyone who is supporting a COVID-19 caused need, whether it be virtual endeavours or neighbour assistance programs. We will extend the dollar amount requested up to $500 if needed per application.

Ideas for Emergency Response Projects

During this time, we will especially consider applications with projects that improve the capacity of homelessness service providers. This would include things like:

• securing additional accommodation to reduce overcrowding in shelters;
• purchasing supplies and materials to reduce the risk of transmission, such as personal protective equipment for staff;
• increasing the frequency of cleaning with disinfectants in high traffic areas;
• securing sufficient accommodation to quarantine individuals infected;
• purchasing beds and physical barriers to place between beds in newly purposed facilities; and
• staff hours to operate these new facilities.