Stronger Together
Stronger Together
LCF COVID-19 Response Fund
When COVID -19 began rapidly spreading throughout Canada in early 2020, the complete and total disruption it caused left many of our marginalized community members even more vulnerable. People experiencing homelessness in London found it exponentially more difficult and dangerous to access food and shelter. Many people experiencing domestic violence became isolated at home with their abusers. Organizations across the city had to scramble not only to meet health and safety requirements, but also to account for the increased number of community members accessing their services.
To meet the rapidly growing need, London Community Foundation, in partnership with the Lawson Foundation and Westminster College Foundation, established the LCF COVID-19 Response Fund. Thanks to the additional support of our generous donors, over $1 million was raised as part of the collaborative effort and LCF was able to make vital grants to agencies – and those in need – throughout London and Middlesex County.
“I strongly believe that a community foundation’s role is to support its citizens during times of great need,” says Martha Powell, LCF’s President & CEO. “We were so inspired by the people and organizations stepping up and we wanted to do our best to assist them.”
LCF coordinated with the City of London, United Way Elgin Middlesex, and other local funders to support individuals and organizations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. As well, LCF supported the recovery and rebuild efforts of agencies adapting their programs and services and deepened its collaboration with the London Arts Council to assist in stabilizing the local arts sector.
And throughout it all, LCF’s donor-directed funds granted $ 1,725,122 to local organizations, continuing to play a critical role in the Foundation’s collective impact.
“It was through close collaboration that we were able to identify and address so many of our community’s challenges as quickly as we did,” says Martha. “And the tremendous support we received from our donors and fundholders was truly humbling.”
In addition to the LCF COVID-19 Response Fund, LCF also distributed over $1.25 million from the Emergency Community Support Fund, a collaboration between the Government of Canada, Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross, to further address our community’s immediate needs during the pandemic.
Last year was an unprecedented year for the Foundation, and our community. We witnessed the strength and resiliency of London and Middlesex County firsthand and are grateful to have been able to fulfill our mandate through our collective response to COVID -19 – being there when our community needs us most.
TO LEARN MORE
For a full list of LCF COVID-19 Response Fund grants,
visit: lcf.on.ca/covid19