The Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF) is seeking applications for its COVID-19 Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) Sustainability and Recovery Fund to support BIPOC organizations in Waterloo Region as they work to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is challenging organizations across Waterloo Region as they work to deliver services and supports that communities depend on. BIPOC communities are being disproportionately affected by inequities deepened by COVID-19, and the organizations that support them have increased costs and/or revenue loss.

Funding Information

• Approximately $150,000 in total funding is available
• Grants of up to $15,000 are available

What will be funded?

• General expenses and/or programming expenses to help sustain organization, and/or recover from the impacts of COVID-19, so applicants can continue to support their community. Examples include:
  • People costs (wages, support to staff, mental health and wellness, consulting fees etc.)
  • Materials and supplies
  • Equipment purchase, rental, lease and maintenance
  • Administration costs
  • Technology costs
  • Printing and communication (including marketing)
  • Community outreach and engagement
  • Adapting current programming
  • Launching a new program or initiative in response to COVID-19
• The following expenses are not eligible:
  • Fundraising expenses
  • Grants to individuals
  • Endowment requests or deficit reductions
  • Political or religious activities
  • Research
  • Activities outside of Waterloo Region

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants organization is based in Waterloo Region, and has been providing services and/or programming to BIPOC individuals in Waterloo Region since January 2019, or earlier
• Organization falls into one of the following three categories:
  • Are a registered charity or qualified donee
  • Are a grassroots organization that is going to partner with a registered charity or qualified donee so the fund can provide them with a grant on applicants behalf.
  • Are a grassroots organization that doesn’t have a fiscal sponsor.
• The fund will give priority to funding organizations that value and embody the concept “nothing about us, without us” within organizational structure and programming. For example:
  • How are the people you are seeking to serve or provide programming for included in decision making or delivery of your initiatives?
  • How and from whom do you get feedback on your initiative?
• Preference will be given to applications that can demonstrate the impact of the funds that will be received. Things to consider:
  • How will BIPOC members of our community benefit from this funding?
  • How will BIPOC members of the community be supported?
  • How will the BIPOC leader for this application be supported in their management of this initiative by your organization?
  • Are funds being directed to neighborhoods’ in our community that are not commonly resourced and provide actionable assistance to BIPOC residents?
  • How will this funding help with a need(s) caused by COVID-19?

For more information, visit The Foundation.