ECSF Round 2 Grants

Dec 4, 2020 | Featured, Foundation News/Updates, Media Releases

Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) – Round 2 Grants

Local charities have received a boost of over $350,000 in federal funding to help them adapt and increase frontline services for vulnerable populations during COVID-19. This funding was delivered through a second round of funding of the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) – a $350 million fund announced by the Government of Canada in April.

We are proud to have partnered with Community Foundations of Canada and the Government of Canada to deliver the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF)  in the Kingston & Area region, alongside the United Way KFL&A.

In this second round of funding, the Community Foundation was allocated $164,018 to grant locally to support projects that clearly addressed a pressing social inclusion or well-being need caused by COVID-19, and/or served one or more vulnerable groups magnified by COVID-19.

The following 14 projects totalling $164,018 were funded through the Community Foundation’s allocation of the funding:

Agency Program Description Funding
Boys & Girls Club of Kingston & Area

Free After-school Meals for Children and Youth

 

$10,000
Extend-A-Family Kingston Deliver programs for individuals with disabilities and respite for their families

$15,000

 

Independent Living Centre Kingston

 

Access to Technology to access needed community supports $15,460
Kingston Community Health Centres Seniors’ Food Box – free box of healthy food delivered monthly $16,507
Kingston Interval House Purchase of washer and dryer to allow for proper cleaning to be able to accept clothing donations $3,295
Lion Hearts Inc. COVID-19 Street Project: to provide healthy food and emergency services to those in needs

$25,000

 

Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres Battling Isolation in North Frontenac through data enabled devices and tech training supports $9,500
Rural Frontenac Community Services

Being Creative at Home and Staying Warm: activity kits for children

 

$5,150
Rural Frontenac Community Services Winter Wellness for Rural Seniors: to build and maintain connections with isolated seniors $3,750
Ryandale Transitional House Additional hours for House Manager during the pandemic $3,780
Sexual Assault Centre Kingston Enhancing Capacity for Delivering Increased Support During COVID-19

$17,700

 

St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Distribution – provide emergency food pantry items to allow families to cook at home

$25,000

 

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston Wash stations and PPE at their drop-in WE (women empowered ) Hub and the Community Residential Facility $3,876
The Food Sharing Project Healthy Food for Vulnerable Students through delivery of breakfast and lunch food boxes to families to supplement in-school programs $10,000

Together with the United Way KFL&A, there has been a combined total of over $1.5 million in total federal funds granted for relief efforts in our community through Round 1 & 2 of the ECSF.

 

“Canadian charities and non-profit organizations play a vital role in our communities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing real challenges to these important organizations. The Government of Canada is pleased to support these organizations through the Emergency Community Support Fund so that they can continue to help the most vulnerable members of our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

– Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Ahmed Hussen

“Our local charities and agencies play a critical role in our community. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, these organizations have had to learn how to adapt and continue to deliver their vital services to those who rely on them. Since the beginning of this pandemic, there has been an increased demand for funding for our local charities and support services, and I am confident that the funding granted to the United Way KFL&A and the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area, through the Emergency Community Support Fund, will help these organizations continue their important work. I am proud that the Government of Canada will continue to support the valuable work of local charities and agencies in Kingston and the Islands, and across the country.”

– Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands

Funded by the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund:

Donate

 When you give to the Community Foundation you can have confidence that your community will continue to benefit from your gift for many years to come.

2023 Year End Tax Tips

 Both the federal and provincial governments offer donations tax credits that, in combination, can result in tax savings of up to 55% of the value of your gift in 2023, depending on your province or territory of residence. With total cash donations up to $200 in a year, the federal donation credit is 15% of the donation amount. For total donations exceeding $200 in a year, the federal donation credit jumps to 29% (33% to the extent taxable income exceeds $235,675) of the donation amount. Provincial donation credits are also available and the total credit may be up to 55% once total annual donations exceed the $200 in a calendar year.

December 31 is the last day to make a donation and get a tax receipt for 2023. You can help a wide range of charities with a single gift to our endowed Community Fund, support your favourite charity or cause by giving to one of our over 225 funds, or establish your own fund.

Credit Card or VISA Debit Card

If you’re ready to make your gift now, then use our secure online giving page. You have the option of choosing any one of our funds, giving ‘in memory of/in honour of’ instructions, and more. Or, if you prefer, you can simply call 613-546-9696 to make your donation over the phone using your Visa, MasterCard, or AMEX, or VISA Debit card. You can make a one-time gift, or sign up to make a regular monthly donation.

Cheque

Please make your cheque payable to Community Foundation for Kingston & Area (or “CFKA”), and write your intended fund in the memo line.  Drop it off or mail to: 275 Ontario Street, Suite #100, Kingston, ON, K7K 2X5.

Publicly-Traded Securities 

Gifting publicly-traded securities, including mutual funds and segregated funds, with accrued capital gains “in-kind” to a registered charity or a foundation not only entitles you to a tax receipt for the fair market value of the security being donated, it eliminates capital gains tax too. You should plan gifts in-kind well before year end, to allow for sufficient time to make arrangements. A gift of publicly-traded securities is the transfer of ownership of stocks or bonds to the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area. If you own shares that have increased in value, 50 per cent of the capital gains are taxable. However, if you donate these shares in-kind to CFKA, the gain is tax-exempt. Learn more.

Form 1: Direction to Transfer Securities or Mutual Funds Electronically as a Charitable Donation Complete Form 1 to give your financial advisor/broker the instructions to make the gift to CFKA. The form contains all the information your advisor will need to make the transfer. They will then submit this form to our broker at CIBC Wood Gundy to advise that the transfer is pending.

Form 2: Notice of Transfer of Securities
Complete Form 2 and send it to CFKA to advise us of your gift, and instruct as to what you would like your donation to support.

Proposed Changes to Alternative Minimum Tax

Tax Element Current AMT Regime Proposed AMT Changes
Tax Rate and exception level 15% flat tax rate on an adjusted taxable income in excess of a $40,000 exemption 20.5% flat tax rate on an adjusted taxable income in excess of a $173,000 exemption
Calculating the adjusted taxable income for AMT purposes 100% of non-refundable tax credits included. 50% of non-refundable tax credits included.
Treatment of donations of publicly listed securities 0% of capital gains from donations of publicly listed securities included. 30% of capital gains from donations of publicly listed securities included.

Your AMT may be higher in 2024 (compared to 2023) if your taxable income is over about $173,000, and you have income taxed at lower rates than ordinary income, or deductions or credits that reduce taxes payable, including: Capital gains, Stock options,  Canadian dividends, Unused non-capital losses, net capital losses, or limited partnership losses from prior years, and  Non-refundable tax credits, including the donation tax credit. Speak to your tax profession to see how AMT could affect your situation in 2024, and, if appropriate, to consider triggering a gain or exercising employee stock options.

Contact us at 613.546.9696 or giving@cfka.org if you need any further assistance.

 

Community Foundation for Kingston & Area