Government has allocated $2 million to match donations to COVID-19 response efforts by designated Alberta-based charities. So far, individual Albertans and Alberta-based corporations have donated generously to the eight designated charitable organizations. The province’s contribution will boost these donations.
“Today is #GivingTuesdayNow, a new global day of giving in response to COVID-19. Thank you to Albertans for their generosity and for thinking of others as we all work together to get through this tough time. The participating charities are doing fantastic work to get dollars quickly to local charities delivering services to Albertans in need. Every donation will help in some way, and I am inviting all Albertans to embrace the power of kindness and give what they can to meet the needs of vulnerable communities during the pandemic.”
Several organizations have established COVID-19 fundraising campaigns to distribute money quickly to those who need it most. The province will match donations made by Albertans to these designated organizations between April 15 and May 31. Organizations include:
- United Way of the Capital Region – Local Love in a Global Crisis Campaign
- United Way Calgary and Area – COVID-19 Community Response Fund
- United Way of Central Alberta – COVID-19 Community Response Fund
- Calgary Foundation – COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Program
- Edmonton Community Foundation – COVID Rapid Response Fund
- Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta – COVID Response for Southeast Alberta
- Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta – COVID Response and Recovery Grants Program
- Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta – Better Together COVID-19 Response Fund/Community Kitchen and Food Bank Fund
COVID-19 pandemic response programs play a supporting role to flow donations through to local community-based non-profits and charitable organizations that deliver services to vulnerable Albertans. Donations will help feed the hungry, care for seniors, support at-risk children, and keep Albertans employed.
Encouraging volunteerism during COVID-19
The province recently launched the new Alberta Cares Connector to help Albertans find or post volunteer opportunities. The response to this new tool has been strong so far, with Albertans performing more than 276,000 searches, submitting about 11,000 volunteer applications and creating 3,300 profiles on the Alberta Cares Connector.
Albertans have also submitted more than 460 nominations to the new Alberta Northern Lights Volunteer Recognition Program, which honours everyday heroes and encourages the spirit of volunteerism.