Non-profit organizations needing a helping hand are invited to apply for the latest round of SurreyCares Community Foundation grants.
According to a news release, the foundation has been “flooded” with requests ahead of its grant-application opening date, set for April 1.
Executive director Susan Richards says the asks are coming from non-profits that tackle everything from food security to elder care.
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“I’m hearing there are growing needs in the community, especially in the area of food security,” Richards said in the release.
“It used to be the need was for people who are unemployed, but the working poor is increasing. There are people who are trying to do it themselves but are just unable to feed their families.”
The Community Grants are awarded annually, funded by interest on donations managed by the foundation through an endowment fund.
Grants are available in three categories: general community, special needs and youth.
The foundation oversees additional, larger grant programs in partnership with the federal and provincial governments, with more than $3 million granted since 2020, the release notes.
Richards said she is hearing from a broad range of non-profits looking to fund meaningful projects, including Indigenous partners, those feeding children and supporting elders, as well as groups working in addiction and recovery. She encouraged faith-based groups that operate essential programs such as children’s camps and soup kitchens to also apply.
“Typically, the people who receive funds through the non-profits we partner with are people who need basic services: food, shelter or treatment, for example,” Richards said.
“They are often people who don’t have a strong public voice – the elderly, people living with disabilities, children. These are people who might otherwise be left behind.”
For more information, visit surreycares.org