Port Coquitlam Community Foundation in collaboration with Coquitlam Foundation and Port Moody Foundation are activating Tri-Cities Community Response Fund alongside Vancouver Foundation and Community Foundations of Canada.

Many of our neighbours have lost their jobs or had a significant reduction in their income. They are having trouble paying for basic necessities and caring for their families and loved ones – we don’t know when this will change. Many of the support organizations in our community who would typically help residents in these times of crisis are also hurting because donations are down substantially.

The Tri-Cities Community Foundations (TCCF) created a Tri-Cities Community Response Fund to help these organizations so they, in turn, can help the people in our community who need supports or other essentials in these challenging times. TCCF has raised $140,000 to support local charities from our Stay at Home Gala event on May 2nd, including a combined $90,00 grant from the Vancouver Foundation.

The Government of Canada’s new Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) provides additional and much-needed assistance to charities and non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations. The Government of Canada is flowing funds through national networks, including Community Foundations of Canada (CFC), United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross. This funding is in response to vulnerable populations across Canada who continue to be disproportionately affected by the COVID19 pandemic. Marginalized groups, youth, children and the elderly, essential workers, and newcomers are just some of the communities that are facing increased challenges right now.

Port Coquitlam Foundation has partnered with CFC, Vancouver Foundation, Coquitlam Foundation and Port Moody Foundation to deploy nearly $600,000 in the Tri-Cities. The ECSF funding is intended to be used for projects carried out before March 31, 2021 that are addressing urgent social inclusion or well-being needs of vulnerable groups as a result of COVID-19. We are working jointly with Coquitlam and Port Moody Foundations to coordinate funding. With the addition of Emergency Community Support Fund, Port Coquitlam Foundation has $155,000 to grant to Tri-Cities organizations that support our community of Port Coquitlam.

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis through July 27th or until funds are fully allocated.