South Saskatchewan Community Foundation (SSCF) has announced approximately $1 million raised by the community has now been granted to 32 organizations as recipients of the Emergency Response Fund for Community Needs.
This Fund addresses some of the urgent community requirements as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 50 applications were received and reviewed by a team of community stakeholders to address areas of food security, shelter shortages, helping with children’s needs and those needs of the most vulnerable populations.
An initial $505,538 was granted to 17 Fund recipients earlier this month with further grants totaling $478,967 now being allocated to 15 organizations.
Donna Ziegler, Executive Director, SSCF, said this Fund is in response to a plea for urgent and coordinated community action and thanks generous donors who have already made contributions to help charities during this time of need.
“Since the Fund was announced about a month ago, generous donors and numerous organizations have stepped up to ensure front-line charities are able to assist those in most desperate need,” says Ziegler. “With it, almost $1 million will go directly back to the community. This included a matching $500,000 which was made available from the estate
of a generous founding member of the Foundation. We are indebted for all efforts to help to ensure essential needs in our community are met.”
Announced – Part Two
| Organization | Funds |
| All Nations Hope Network* | $30,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Regina & Area Inc. | $50,000 |
| Canadian Mental Health Association – Saskatchewan Division | $50,000 |
| Caring Hearts Counselling Inc.* | $25,000 |
| Eden Care Communities | $50,000 |
| Family Service Regina | $25,000 |
| Joe’s Place Youth Centre – Generation Hope Youth Inc. | $6,000 |
| Mother Teresa Middle School Inc. | $50,000 |
| Nēwo Yōtina Friendship Centre | $50,000 |
| Oxbow Emergency Support Program | $5,000 |
| Oxford House Saskatchewan Incorporated | $20,000 |
| REALM Foundation Inc. | $4,750 |
| South West Crisis Services Inc. | $5,000 |
| Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan Inc. | $25,000 |
| Swift Current Community Youth Initiative | $30,000 |
| The Canadian National Institute for the Blind | $9,317 |
| The Caring Place Regina Inc. | $43,900 |
| TOTAL | $478,967 |
Ziegler notes that other needs-based applications exist and will be assessed as more funds become available.
Donations are accepted online through the Foundation’s website www.sscf.ca. Current Fund holders can use the Online Fund Portal or can email info@sscf.ca or call (306) 751-4756 or toll-free at 1-877-751-4756. A list of the generous donors will be published on SSCF website in early May.
Quote from one of the recipients:
“The contribution to our new Four Winds Housing project from South Saskatchewan Community Foundation and their donors will allow us to support families transitioning from shelters in a sustainable, supportive and culturally relevant way. We are grateful for the communities support and are hopeful for the stability this will bring to families during uncertain times.” Michael Parker, Executive Director, Nēwo Yōtina Friendship Centre
Announced – Part One
| Organization | Funds |
| All Nations Hope Network | $20,000 |
| AIDS Program South Saskatchewan | $23,500 |
| Canadian Mental Health Association | $16,000 |
| Caring Hearts Counselling Inc. | $25,000 |
| Carmichael Outreach Inc. | $50,000 |
| Cowessess Community Educational Centre | $19,858 |
| Family Resource Centre, Swift Current | $5,500 |
| Moose Jaw Non-Profit Housing Corporation | $50,000 |
| Moose Jaw Transition House | $50,000 |
| North Central Family Centre Inc. | $20,000 |
| Phoenix Residential Society | $10,000 |
| SOFIA House | $21,500 |
| Souls Harbour Rescue Mission Inc. | $40,000 |
| Regina Transition House Inc. | $20,000 |
| The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan | $35,000 |
| United Way of Estevan | $50,000 |
| YWCA Regina | $49,000 |
| TOTAL | $505,358 |
With the community’s generosity, SSCF worked with 222 charities in 2019 and 197 charities in 2018.