CFNS is taking part in the Community Services Recovery Fund – a $400M investment in charities and non-profits. The application portal is now closed with applications under review – thanks to all who applied.

Now more than ever, charities and non-profits are playing a key role in addressing persistent and complex social problems faced by all Canadians. The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.

The national funders for the initiative – Community Foundations of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada – are working together to deliver the Community Service Recovery Fund under three project focus areas:

Investing in People

Funding will support one-time projects that focus on how organizations recruit, retain, engage and support their personnel, including staff, volunteers and boards of directors.

Investing in Systems and Processes

Funding will support one-time projects that invest in the systems and processes involved in creating the internal workings of an organization’s overall structure.

Investing in Program and Service Innovation and Redesign

Funding will support one-time projects primarily focused on program and service innovation and redesign using information gained during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Nova Scotia, the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia is working in partnership with Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia and Ulnooweg Indigenous Communities Foundation to distribute funding for the Investing in Systems and Processes project focus area. This funding will support one-time projects that invest in the systems (staff, volunteers, technology, etc.) and processes (way of doing something) that support an organization’s internal workings, operations or overall structure.

Think about how your organization functions – as you adapted to meet the needs of your community during the pandemic, what system or process would have made your work easier or more efficient? For more information on the Investing in Systems and Processes project focus area, click here.

Examples of projects focused on Systems and Processes include:

  • Investment in contact management systems
  • Implementation of a new communications plan
  • Enhancement of a new accounting system
  • Development, implementation, or adaptation of a new fundraising strategy
  • A governance review through the lens of organizational resilience
  • Exploring a merger or amalgamation with another organization
  • Development or adaptation of a data/privacy strategy or plan
  • Other activities to help your systems and processes modernize or adapt.

Key Dates

February 21, 2023
Application deadline

June 2023
Projects notified

June 30, 2024
Funded projects end

How to Apply

Given there are 3 project focus areas, each with both national/provincial and local reach, follow this Decision Tree to access the right application for you. If your project touches on all 3 focus areas – people, systems/processes and program/service innovation & design – apply to the area where most of your work/budget is focused.

NOTE: All unincorporated nonprofits must apply to the Canadian Red Cross regardless of the area of focus you are applying for. 

Organizations may submit one application only for funding. If an organization applies on behalf of a collaborative, that counts as its one application. If your organization is a member of a collaborative that does not count as your one application.

Read the Applicant Guide, FAQS, and watch the “How to Apply” webinar recording for more information.

NOVA SCOTIA APPLICANTS
In collaboration with local representatives from United Way and the Canadian Red Cross, we hosted a webinar for Nova Scotia-based organizations on February 6 to provide information and answer questions. View the recordings:

General Q&A Session

Investing in People Session

Investing in Systems & Processes Session

Investing in Programs and Services Innovation and Redesign Session

Visit communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca for more information. 

Questions on the Investing in Systems and Processes project focus area? Email us or phone 902-490-9916.

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