COVID-19 Community Funding Opportunities
The COVID-19 Pandemic is an unprecedented time in Durham Region and as a result, many residents are experiencing unprecedented need. In response to this, the Government of Canada's Emergency Community Support Fund has made funding available to community agencies and not-for-profit organizations, administered through United Way Centraide Canada, Community Foundations of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross in communities from coast to coast to coast.
This funding is available to qualified organizations that are providing urgent help to vulnerable Durham Region residents. Please follow the links below to learn more and apply.
Questions? A series of frequently asked questions and answers is at the bottom of the page.
Find Tips for Writing Grant Applications and helpful Data Sources for Grant Applications.
Canadian Red Cross COVID-19 Emergency Support for Community Organizations
To ensure that critical resources reach across the Canadian non-profit sector, the Canadian Red Cross granting program will focus on non-profits supporting vulnerable groups so they can continue delivering critical community-based supports to vulnerable populations in Canada, and organizations addressing a pressing social inclusion or well-being need.
Learn more
Resilient Communities Fund - Ontario Trillium Fund
The Resilient Communities Fund is a one-time fund to support the non-profit sector recover and rebuild from the impacts emerging from COVID-19 so they can effectively meet the needs of communities across Ontario.
OTF is investing in projects of eligible non-profit organizations to aid their medium to longer-term recovery efforts, help with their stabilization and build their capacity and resiliency in the aftermath of COVID-19.
This fund is providing a flexible range of activities over two deadlines to address the diverse needs of organizations and to support them where they are at in their recovery and rebuilding.
Request amount: From $5,000 to $150,000
Grant term: up to 1 year
Application Deadlines*: September 2, 2020 at 5 pm ET. and December 2, 2020 at 5 pm ET.
* Due to the expected high demand and in our efforts to support as many organizations as possible, only one grant per eligible organization will be awarded. Organizations that receive a grant from the September 2nd deadline will not be eligible to apply for the December 2nd deadline.
Learn more
Seniors Community Grant Program - Ontario Government
The Seniors Community Grant Program encourages seniors to get involved in their community by supporting hundreds of projects with funding ranging from $1,000 up to $100,000. Projects can be focused on:
- volunteerism
- learning
- financial awareness
- social inclusion
- elder abuse prevention
- mental wellbeing
- physical activity
This year, we are focusing on programing that can be delivered remotely or virtually.
This funding will help non-profit organizations, local services boards, or Indigenous groups develop programs for seniors that focus on combatting social isolation, promoting seniors’ safety and well-being, improving financial security and making communities age-friendly during COVID-19.
Learn More
Town of Whitby Mayor's Community Development Fund
The Town of Whitby is providing funds through the Mayor’s Community Development Fund (MCDF), which provides financial assistance to local community groups, events and initiatives that help contribute to Whitby as a vibrant and caring community. The criteria has been expanded to focus on local organizations working to help the Whitby community during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Applications are accepted on a monthly basis for community grants of up to $5,000.
Learn More
City of Oshawa Partnership Grants
Oshawa is committed to assisting Oshawa-based not-for-profit community groups and organizations initiating or delivering programs and services to the residents of Oshawa. The City offers four financial assistance programs for these community groups and organizations: partnership grants, anchor organization grants, financial assistance and waiving of fees.
The deadline for the partnership and anchor organization grants is fast approaching. Not-for-profit community groups and organizations can submit the required paperwork until Friday, September 25.
Partnership Grants
The Partnership Grant program assists Oshawa-based not-for-profit community groups and organizations initiating or delivering programs or services to the residents of Oshawa. Applications must be received by Friday, September 25.
For additional information, please refer to the Partnership Grant Policy. To request a Partnership Grant Application Form, email Finance Services or contact (905) 436-3311, ext. 2165.
Learn more
Other Funding Opportunities
The funding opportunities featured above are specifically related in some way to the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are always new funding opportunities opening for applications. Find information about other funding through the Funding Opportunities Update.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How can we find out if our community organization is eligible for COVID-19 support funding and where can we get more details about completing applications? |
| Many not-for-profits, charities and qualified donees are eligible for support funding. You can reach out to the Funder directly; their websites have FAQ sections and application guides about eligibility and completing the paperwork. If you still have questions, their staff can provide guidance on the application process and help ensure that every eligible organization can apply. |
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Can an organization apply to more than one of the funding opportunities listed? |
| Yes. You can apply to different opportunities, but typically organizations cannot receive funding for the same activities from different sources. Some applications may include a request for consent to share application/proposal details with other funders to ensure coordinated funding. |
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What if we can't find data to support our funding application? |
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Data will strengthen a grant application. Although specific local population level data on the impacts of COVID-19 may be scarce at this time, we have linked some data sources below that provide information at the Durham community level and may help to support your application for funding.
Statistics Canada Census Data All population-related data across Canada
Durham Workforce Authority Census Tool Interactive map data showing labour and population data
Health Neighbourhoods Interactive map data showing social determinants of health and population data Interactive Map:
Reports and Neighbourhood Profiles:
Durham Child and Youth Planning Network Data portal with interactive charts for key indicators in child and youth health and well-being
211 Ontario Information Services A live dashboard showing regional needs of residents inquiring about human and social services
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Data and research page, including reports and the Housing Market Information Portal (interactive map)
Region of Durham Open Data Data bank portal with spatial data files to download. Includes community services, housing, planning, business, environment, and recreation spatial files and may be previewed with an online webmap.
Community Development Council of Durham Report detailing results of 2018 Durham homelessness count |
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Can funding be accessed to support our organization making the necessary changes to things like technology, PPE, equipment, employee and volunteer safety and training, and service delivery for vulnerable populations required post COVID-19? |
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Yes. Some of the funding opportunities posted above are open to applications for products, training and equipment needed to safely provide services to residents during and after the pandemic. |
| Where can I find information about safely re-opening my business or organization through the phased reopening of the Province? |
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This Community Reopening Toolkit has been compiled by Durham Region Health Department, subject to direction from the Province, and offers sector-specific information about safe service delivery in our new COVID-19 reality. This toolkit can help you identify needs you may have in your organization that could be supported with an application for funding. In addition, the Province of Ontario's new downloadable toolkit offers tips on how to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as more people get back on the job during the phased reopening of the province. Additional information about phased reopening is available at Ontario.ca/reopen. The Province has also launched the Workplace PPE Supplier Directory which provides businesses with information on personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers. |
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