Richmond Community Foundation sees increase in grant requests during pandemic

“This has probably been one of the largest amount of requests for grants in the 27 years history of the foundation.”

Ed Gavsie, executive director of the Richmond Community Foundation (RCF), said it has been hectic for the organization, with grant requests pouring in as they try to do their best to help everyone possible.

“It was a relief that the federal government allocated support funds to community foundations across Canada,” said Gavsie.

“They wanted every region and no part in Canada that wouldn’t be eligible at least to get money.”

In May, the Government of Canada invested $350 million as part of the Emergency Community Support Fund to improve the ability of community organizations to help support vulnerable Canadians during the pandemic.

Of the $350 million, RCF received $363,000 to help local organizations and non-profits in Richmond.

Gavsie told the Richmond News that the federal support allowed the foundation to provide grants to 14 different organizations.

“We received a total of 32 applications for more than $1.1 million in requests, but we can only grant what was given or what our allocation was,” said Gavsie, adding that the grants were only given to organizations with requests in regards to COVID-19.

“We are now working with the Vancouver Foundation to get some more money…”

Kevin McCort, president and CEO of the Vancouver Foundation, said his organization has also been “over-subscribed” with COVID-related requests.

“We have experienced a high demand from many organizations where every community has been asking for more during this time,” said McCort, adding that they had to close applications to their community response fund because the “demand exceeded” what they had.

The Vancouver Foundation, said McCort, is looking to raise more money and have a second round of funding.