Ultimate Guide to the Community Services Recovery Fund

Three years after the COVID-19 pandemic, many charities and nonprofits have moved from surviving to thriving. They are securing more donors and creating new methods for obtaining grants, individual and corporate contributions.

The Government of Canada has rallied behind nonprofits with its historic Community Services Recovery Fund. This $400 million investment through the National Funders (The Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada) will be used to support Canadian nonprofits to strengthen and transform their operations in post-pandemic recovery.

We believe that this is an incredible opportunity for charities and nonprofits in Canada to receive grants to build up their people, process, and systems with no strings attached.

The minimum ask is $10,000. Applications are due on February 21, 2023.

Sign up for Community Services Recovery Fund tips and updates:

Receive a free resource package to help with the application process. Here’s what’s included:

  • Community Services Recovery Fund Application Checklist: Use this worksheet to gather all of the documents and information necessary for your application. After you’ve gathered all of your resources, check our spreadsheet for a direct link to the application that best fits your project.
  • Community Services Recovery Fund Application List: Use this comprehensive list of direct links to online and PDF applications to apply to the CSRF.
  • 100+ Project Ideas and Costing Guide: Use this catalog of eligible project ideas to build out your grant proposal.

Download your free resources by signing up here!

Eligible Organizations

The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment to support Community Services Organizations (CSOs) located in Canada as they adapt operations for COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

Applications will be accepted from Community Service Organizations, which are either*:

  • Nonprofit Organizations: Unincorporated or incorporated organizations that operate exclusively for civic improvement, social welfare, recreation, or other purpose not profit.
  • Indigenous Governing Bodies: Indigenous Governing Bodies that are not registered as nonprofits or as qualified donees, ex. First Nations bands.
  • Registered Charities/Other Qualified Donees: Charities registered with the Canada Revenue Agency that meet all eligibility requirements.

*Eligible organizations across all Canadian provinces and territories can benefit from CSRF funding. Quebec organizations can apply as discussions are underway to determine how CSRF can be implemented in Quebec. More details will be provided in coming weeks.

Your organization must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible:

csrf-eligible-criteria
Community Services Recovery Fund Eligible Organizations Criteria

Funding Streams

Local or regional CSOs serving a portion of a territory or province will apply under the Local Stream. There are two tiers of funding available, and eligible organizations can be awarded between a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $200,000.

CSOs serving an entire territory or province, or multiple territories/provinces must apply under the National Stream. There are two tiers of funding available, and eligible organizations can be awarded between a minimum of $20,000 to a maximum of $500,000.

To learn more about the application process and evaluation criteria, download the Applicant Guide.

Eligible Projects

There are three categories of eligible projects:

  • Investing in People: These types of projects may include mental health support for staff, volunteer and board members, training support, diversity inclusion initiatives, etc.
  • Investing in Systems and Processes: These types of projects may include adaptation of a fundraising strategy, investment in management systems, implementation of new communication plans, etc.
  • Investing in Program and Service Innovation and Redesign: These types of projects may include testing or piloting a program or service adapted during COVID-19, exploring adaptation of a program, service or service delivery system with information collected during COVID-19, other activities to help your organization modernize or adapt its programs/services, etc.

Deadlines and Timelines

Applications are open for the Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF) and must be submitted by February 21, 2023, at 5:00pm PT. 

After your application is submitted, there will be a period of review. If you are awarded funds through CSRF, your project can begin on or after May 1, 2023 and must be completed by June 30, 2024.

How to Apply

One application may be submitted for each organization requesting funding under CSRF.

If a head office of a national organization is applying, the local or regional branches of the national/provincial or territorial organization may also apply as long as the projects are different and each organization is registered and applying as a separate entity.

Take the Where to Apply Questionnaire if you’d like additional support to determine where to apply.

Use the flow chart below to determine where your organization should apply:

Local Stream Investing In:

Local Unincorporated Nonprofits Investing In:

National/Provincial/Territorial Stream Investing In:

To learn more about the application process and evaluation criteria, download the Applicant Guide.

Sign up for Community Services Recovery Fund tips and updates:

Receive a free resource package to help with the application process. Here’s what’s included:

  • Community Services Recovery Fund Application Checklist: Use this worksheet to gather all of the documents and information necessary for your application. After you’ve gathered all of your resources, check our spreadsheet for a direct link to the application that best fits your project.
  • Community Services Recovery Fund Application List: Use this comprehensive list of direct links to online and PDF applications to apply to the CSRF.
  • 100+ Project Ideas and Costing Guide: Use this catalog of eligible project ideas to build out your grant proposal.

Download your free resources by signing up here!

Additional Resources

We’ve gathered top applicant resources to help you prepare your application and set you up for success.

Download the free resources below to easily prepare and organize your application materials.

CauseVox is a digital fundraising platform for nonprofits and charities. Need help with project ideas or budget estimates? Contact us at support@causevox.com.

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