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Local Love in a Global Crisis

The Call for Proposals for Local Love in a Global Crisis funding is now closed. 

COVID-19 is top of mind for everyone, and is affecting the way we all support the most vulnerable people in our community. United Way East Ontario (UWEO) knows this pandemic has already created an increase in demand for many local programs, shortages in supplies for others, and an elevated risk of disruption in service. Local Love in a Global Crisis is UWEO’s response – we are convening partners to identify community needs, coordinating in-kind donations, and raising funds to support our communities to address the immediate crisis and to rebuild.  

A total of $2,000,000 is currently available to invest through the Local Love in a Global Crisis fund. 

Local community service agencies are invited to submit a proposal for these funds to address one of the following needs:  

  • Basic needs: providing access to life’s essentials, such as food, cleansers and hygiene products, or other resources that help the most vulnerable people stay healthy. 

     

  • Help for seniors and caregivers: Supporting isolated seniors who are vulnerable and at risk of developing severe illness if they contract the virus. Programming can include safe engagement activities such as virtual programming, telephone checkins, low risk in-person engagement activities, transportation, personal care and support for those who are selfisolating.

     

  • Capacity for the community sector: Ensuring frontline services can continue their vital work. We know that frontline agencies are providing critical services that have seen an increase in demand. Programming may include helping organizations work better together, recruiting volunteers, and reaching vulnerable people using innovative practices and technology. Funding can also be used to add or scale up important services and programs to support more vulnerable people or across a larger geographic scope in East Ontario. 

     

  • Mental health and crisis supports: Enabling vital crisis lines and system navigation services that benefit everyone. Programming can include youth and adult mental health counselling, web-based platforms, communication supports for women and children experiencing violence, systems navigation, and other crisis and mental health supports seeing an increase in use. The work should target support and programs for people who have shouldered the greatest burden from the pandemic: Indigenous people; African, Caribbean and Black communities; people with disabilities; women and children experiencing violence; people living in poverty; isolated people and other equity-seeking groups. Funds may also sustain and scale up vital programs and support collaborative efforts to improve services and access.

     

  • Addressing learning loss for vulnerable children and youth: Ensuring kids get back on track with their education. Addressing learning loss and re-engaging the most vulnerable children and youth in school and learning will be an essential step to ensuring children and youth get back on track as we move into recovery. Programming may include critical hours programming that provides a safe place (in person and via technology) for the most atrisk children and youth to build skills, especially literacy and STEAM education, and develop healthy relationships during this difficult time.  

     

  • An equitable economic recovery: Building a more prosperous future for people who have been sidelined by the pandemic, including Indigenous people, racialized communities, women, youth, newcomers, people with disabilities, and other equity-seeking groups. Programming may include employment support, including investments in community economic development (Community Wealth Building) and social enterprises that benefit people facing the greatest financial hardship. In addition, funds may be used to provide financial information and tax supports. 
     

* Please note:   

  • All investments must meet our existing eligibility criteria.  
    • Applicant must be a registered charity (with its own RR number) 
    • Applicant must maintain a volunteer board that meets regularly
    • Applicant must host an Annual General Meeting 
    • Applicant must have financial statements that have been audited by a licensed public accountant** 
      • **Charities with revenues less than $250,000 may submit reviewed financial statements only if they have been funded by one of UWEO’s local offices in Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark or Renfrew Counties within the time periods of 2015/16 – 2019/20 and are in good standing with the organization.
  • Priority will be given for investments in systems-wide multi-region initiatives.  
  • Priority will be given to proposal that extend innovative programs or solutions that have successfully addressed serious COVID related challenges. 
  • Use a diversity, equity and inclusion lens to support underserved, disproportionately affected communities or equity seeking groups.  
  • First investments to be determined by June 30, 2021 with later investments to be confirmed pending any additional funds raised. 

UWEO is working with our COVID-19 Community Response Table, networks, tables, and other funders, and using tools such as the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study (ONS), Neighbourhood Equity Index (NEI) and 211 to help guide our investment decisions. 

Important Dates and Deadlines

May 27, 2021 

LLGC Call for Proposals Launch

June 17, 2021 

Application deadline (1 PM)

June 2021 

Assessment process 

Early July 2021 

Notification to Applicants 

We thank you, our social service providers for continuing to support our communities’ most vulnerable and ensuring their access to much needed supports continues. 

Learn more about Local Love in a Global Crisis.