Community Services Recovery Fund application process open to support pandemic recovery

Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie, Cranbrook, and Golden BC (Jan. 16, 2023) – The Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF) application process is now open, with applications due by February 21, 2023.

The Community Services Recovery Fund is an historic, one-time investment of $400 million from the Government of Canada to support Community Service Organizations, including charities, non-profits, and Indigenous Governing Bodies, as they strive to adapt, modernize, and build resiliency within their organizations, through the pandemic recovery and beyond.

The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) is honoured to be administering the Community Services Recovery Fund in Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie, Cranbrook, Golden, and the surrounding rural areas. CFKR is one of the many community foundations across Canada, which are administering this program, working alongside the Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada to manage the application process.

Community Service Organizations that are interested in applying are encouraged to visit the Community Services Recovery Fund website https://communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca/, which includes helpful resources such as an interactive quiz regarding potential projects, an applicant guide, and a recording of the “How to Apply” webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCc2Z0dLmQA.

According to Lynnette Wray, CFKR Executive Director, “The Community Services Recovery Fund offers support to charities, non-profits, and Indigenous governing bodies in the East Kootenay Region. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, these organizations have stood up for and supported our communities. We will be forever grateful for their efforts. Now, through this Fund, the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies can support projects that invest in the internal systems and processes of these community service organizations, making them more resilient for the future.”

“The Government is supporting the long-term COVID-19 pandemic recovery in communities across Canada through this historic fund. This transformational investment with the National Funders supports a more inclusive model of economic growth that creates opportunities at the community level. The Community Services Recovery Fund will strengthen the ability of community service organizations, including charities, non-profits, and Indigenous governing bodies, to deliver services and resources where they will have the most impact,” said Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

Across the country, including in the East Kootenay Region, community service organizations are at the forefront of addressing communities’ needs, and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the early phases of the pandemic, they have faced a variety of challenges, including 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.