Community Foundation of PEI Announces COVID-19 Community Impact Fund
As the coronavirus impacts our world and our community, the Community Foundation of PEI (CFPEI) is spearheading a COVID-19 Community Impact Fund to assist local organizations in meeting the needs of others.
The Foundation is allocating $25,000 of its annual community grant funds towards spearheading this initiative with a goal to raise $100,000 or more to be dispersed to registered charities and qualified organizations whose work helps provide relief for those whose lives have in some way been impacted by the coronavirus.
The original intent of the CFPEI Community Impact Fund for 2020 was intended to support Vital Signs initiatives. However, it is clear that COVID-19 is more vital than anything else we could possibly assist with right now.
Islanders can help increase the impact by making a charitable donation that will be used to increase the granting to worthy projects and initiatives. For every dollar donated, the Community Foundation of PEI will match up to $25,000 and in addition, the Province of PEI, through the Department of Fisheries and Communities will match up to $25,000. That means for every dollar donated, we will turn it into $3!
We understand emergency funds are available at this time but we are very concerned about the long term implications on the charitable sector and the clients they serve on PEI. We will work closely with other funders like the United Way and government to identify how we are uniquely positioned to support the sector to continue to offer essential services of the community sector throughout the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
To launch the COVID-19 Community Impact Fund campaign, CFPEI has committed $25,000 in funds from its own operations and from the following endowment funds: The Eric and Edith Robinson Fund, the Don & Sheryl Livingstone Fund, the Arthur & Theresa MacDonald Charitable Trust, the Island Fund, the Frank & Dorothy Lewis Community Strength Fund and the Upson Fund.
“We’re going to use all of our available Vital Signs granting capacity to help nonprofits as they deal with the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, and we will be putting a special fundraising drive in place to enable us to raise even more funds to pass along to these great organizations Island wide as they deal with the pandemic”, said CFPEI President, Jonathan Ross. “We hope our initial investment will be the impetus needed for generous Islanders who want to make a difference by contributing to this worthwhile initiative”.
Fisheries and Communities Minister Jamie Fox added, “My department is very pleased to partner with the Community Foundation of PEI on this initiative. The Foundation is a vital support to organizations working hard to better our communities for all Islanders.”
The Foundation also has plans to announce a unique Island-wide fundraiser in the very near future! Proceeds will be used to support the COVID-19 Community Impact Fund grants and details will be available soon! To receive the early notification of the details, islanders are urged to email the Foundation at [email protected]!