Financial support coming for B.C.’s non-profit sector

Non-profit organizations in British Columbia will be able to access some financial support this year.

The province has committed $30 million from the 2022 budget to a recovery and resiliency fund, backed by another $4 million from the Vancouver Foundation, to support non-profit organizations that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our government recognizes the important work non-profits do in building strength and resilience in our communities, which is why we have created a recovery and resiliency fund,” said Niki Sharma, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits.

“They have been there for British Columbians during the challenges of the past year, and we will be there for them through economic recovery.”

A survey by Vantage Point last year found that 48 per cent of non-profit organizations in B.C. experienced challenges due to the pandemic, including reduced revenue, higher operating costs to deliver services, an increased demand for services, a decline in volunteers, and limited financial reserves.

The recovery and resiliency fund will support organizations whose staff, volunteers, programs and operations were disproportionately affected by the pandemic, with funding going to fill crucial gaps not covered by other sources.

Of the total $34-million fund, $5 million will be allocated to a New Relationship Trust, an Indigenous-led funding body that will support the recovery and resilience of Indigenous community. The province is working with funding organizations to finalize details for application criteria and guidelines for this funding stream.

“We are excited to collaborate with and stand beside the Government of B.C., Vancouver Foundation and United Way in delivering an initiative that advances reconciliation beyond the crossroads of just talk,” said Walter Schneider, CEO of the New Relationship Trust.

“A key commitment of reconciliation is the foundational understanding, knowledge and willingness to meet Indigenous organizations where they are at on their own journey towards recovery and resiliency within their own contexts. We believe this initiative is at the vanguard of that commitment.”

Vancouver Foundation and the United Way British Columbia will administer the fund, which is expected to launch in June.

“We’re hard at work on designing the program right now, we are working on how to target scope it; eligibility criteria; and adjudication process,” said Kevin McCort, president and CEO of the Vancouver Foundation.

“Details are coming, but we do hope to launch the funding in June, and there will be an opportunity to sign up on the Vancouver Foundation website to get details.”

McCort added that having the June deadline gives other groups the opportunity to get involved and contribute to the fund before allocating money to non-profits across B.C.