Your donation will continue to support vulnerable Calgarians during this uncertain time.
The COVID-19 Community Response Fund, a collaboration between United Way of Calgary and Area and The City of Calgary (including the Calgary Emergency Management Agency) was a city-wide effort to ensure that social service agencies in Calgary and area could quickly provide emergency funds to the most vulnerable people in our community. The Calgary Foundation joined the initiative, contributing $1 million to support the demand for immediate social services and our community’s most urgent needs.
As our focus shifts away from responding to urgent needs, United Way will be working with government, agencies, and others to support Calgary and area as it recovers from the effects of COVID-19, and rebuilds towards a greater resiliency. United Way will be focusing its community investments in the areas of socioeconomic well-being, mental health, social inclusion, healthy relationships, equity and diversity, and innovation. Due to funding limitations, all applications for the COVID-19 Community Response Fund are now closed.
The COVID-19 Community Response Fund has granted over $13.1 million to 181 local agencies.
The emergency funding was granted to social service agencies that support vulnerable populations, including the elderly, Indigenous populations, people living in poverty, the homeless, newcomers and refugees, and others. Applications for funding were assessed by the Community Response Fund Stewardship Alliance, a group of influential organizations committed to COVID-19 relief efforts. This alliance included: Calgary Health Foundation (formally Calgary Health Trust), Calgary Homeless Foundation, The Calgary Foundation, The City of Calgary (including the Calgary Emergency Management Agency), The City of Calgary (Family & Community Support Services), Alberta Blue Cross Foundation, and United Way of Calgary and Area.
Requests for funding to support the Indigenous community were reviewed by the Indigenous Task Force using a Circle approach. This table included Elders and other knowledge keepers to ensure a coordinated community response reflective of an Indigenous governance model.
Thank you to all the amazing people and organizations who generously contributed and supported relief efforts
The COVID-19 Community Response Fund has granted over $13.1 million to 181 local agencies. More than 1,500 individuals and 90 corporations and foundation generously donated to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund to support Calgarians affected by COVID-19.
Calgary has proven that it is a compassionate, caring community. We’ve shown that at times of crisis, we come together to take care of the most vulnerable and to ensure that no one is left behind. Overwhelming support for the COVID-19 Community Response Fund showed us that united, we make the biggest difference.
To find out more about the agencies and programs supported by the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, visit our Investments page.
Community Supports & Resources
The COVID-19 Social Sector Information & Resources Hub was made available to community agencies who needed resources and information during this crisis. We will continue to update this information as it becomes available.
If you’re an individual in need of immediate support please call 211 or visit our resources page.
There’s still a lot of uncertainly facing Calgarians. Give today to continue to help vulnerable Calgarians access the supports and services they need during this extraordinary time.
Donation matching donors
Thanks to the generosity of a passionate group of local donors, donations made to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund were matched up to $1 million. The Kanovsky Family Foundation, Geoff and Anna Cumming, Bill and Sharon Siebens, David Bissett, the Poelzer Family Foundation, Michael and Heather Culbert & Family, Alvin Libin, Bobby Libin & Family, and Alice Chan and Dr. Chen Fong, David & Barbara Johnson, Viewpoint Foundation and Two anonymous donors are the amazing community leaders who were able to make this initiative possible.
These dedicated local philanthropists know that it will take many hands to lift us out of this crisis and joined together to help their community take care of the most vulnerable when it was needed most.