Impact Stories

Demand for community and social services surges due to pandemic

United Way and local partners announce this week the Sustainable Recovery Grant (SRG) call for applications in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sustainable Recovery Grant applications announced for local charities

May 3, 2021 – United Way and local partners announce this week the Sustainable Recovery Grant (SRG) call for applications in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants will provide entrepreneurial coaching to charities to help them build sustainability and resilience in four key areas: revenue, operations, people, and impact. 

The pandemic highlights the valuable services charities provide in our communities. Over the last several months, 45% of charities report increases in demand for their services with many seeing demand grow faster than their capacity. Innovation and experimentation inside charities have increased sharply.

In the past 12 months, the SRG, a collaborative partnership from local funders, has helped participating charities to launch and grow social enterprise revenue streams, improve internal and external communication, redesign programs and services, improve financial sustainability, and navigate very difficult and complex leadership challenges. This coaching helps to provide the capacity and capability leaders need to succeed in these challenging times.

Successful applicants to the SRG fund will receive one-time grant funding for customized coaching and support through Purppl’s Resilience & Recovery Program. Purppl helps social purpose organizations build financial resilience, improve their impact, and develop their leadership skills.

The Sustainable Recovery Grant aims to build the capacity and long-term sustainability of charities in the Southern Interior region of BC. This is a multi-year collaboration among local funders including United Way British Columbia, Interior Savings, Valley First, Community Foundation of the North Okanagan, and Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen.

“The work supported by the Sustainable Recovery Grants has proven to be effective in building the capacity and resilience of participating charities during these challenging times. We are pleased to partner with Purppl and our fellow SRG funders to provide charities with the opportunity to strengthen their ability to serve the community during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”

– Kahir Lalji, Executive Director, United Way SIBC

Eligible charities are invited to submit a short application to the Sustainable Recovery Grant via the United Way SIBC website. The deadline to apply is Monday, June 7th, 2021 at 5:00pm PST. Successful applicants will be notified on June 30, 2021. Apply Online.

For more information on the grant, please contact Christine Cirka, Programs Manager of Purppl CCC at christine@purppl.com or Sherry Ferronato at sherry@unitedwaysibc.com, Director of Community Investment & Wellness with United Way SIBC.

Download Media Release: NEWSRELEASE_Sustainable-Recovery-Grant-released_May3