The Golden Horseshoe Hub in Southern Ontario announced February 9th they will work together to provide $1,840,190 to transform public spaces in response to COVID-19.

The Hub is led by the Oakville Community Foundation and includes: Niagara Community Foundation, Brampton and Caledon Community Foundation, Brant County Community Foundation, Burlington Foundation, Community Foundation of Halton North, Hamilton Community Foundation, and Community Foundation of Mississauga.

This funding is part of the Government of Canada’s new $31 million Healthy Communities Initiative and will support community-led organizations in developing local, small-scale infrastructure projects that respond to the immediate needs arising from COVID-19, while building towards a more pandemic-resilient future.

Starting February 9, organizations are invited to apply for funding between $5,000 and $250,000 to lead projects that help create safe and vibrant public spaces, improve mobility options, and provide digital solutions to help their neighbourhoods or communities navigate the pandemic and look to build back better in the COVID-19 recovery. This could include projects that adapt crosswalks and access to public transport to allow for safe physical distancing, the creation of community gardens, and art installations, and free wifi in targeted public spaces. A variety of community-led organizations are eligible to apply, including local governments, charities, Indigenous communities, and registered non-profit organizations.

Organizations can apply here starting immediately until March 9, 2021, at 8:00 PM EST.

“The Niagara Community Foundation is proud to participate in the federal government’s Canada Healthy Communities Initiative,” states NCF Executive Director Bryan Rose. “We are also extremely excited to be able to partner with a number of our Community Foundation siblings from around the Greater Golden Horseshoe. This further illustrates the greater impact our organizations have when we work together for the benefit of our communities.”

The Golden Horseshoe Hub is working alongside Community Foundations of Canada, the Canadian Urban Institute and other partners to serve communities across Canada, including equity-seeking groups interested in applying.

A second application period for funding will take place starting in May 2021.