Social Services Support for COVID-19

Applications temporarily suspended as of April 21, 2020
Effective April 21, 2020, the Government of Alberta will be temporarily suspending applications for the $30 million in emergency social services funding to charities, not-for-profits and civil society organizations to support their COVID-19 response. Government has received over 600 applications. Current applications are being reviewed, and approvals for urgent requests will occur before reopening intake of applications.

Applications temporarily suspended as of April 21, 2020

Effective April 21, 2020, the Government of Alberta will be temporarily suspending applications for the $30 million in emergency social services funding to charities, not-for-profits and civil society organizations to support their COVID-19 response. Government has received over 600 applications. Current applications are being reviewed, and approvals for urgent requests will occur before reopening intake of applications.

On March 17, 2020, the Alberta government announced additional $30 million in emergency funding to charities, non-profits and civil society organizations through the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) program to provide help to individuals, seniors, families and other vulnerable Albertans who are isolated or impacted by measures to contain COVID-19. These organizations will support a range of services needed from at-home help for seniors, crisis and helplines, food security issues, emotional and mental health counselling or any other identified community issues.

Funding is provided by the Government of Alberta, Ministry of Community and Social Services and distributed by Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA) for organizations outside of Edmonton and Calgary.

Before applying through your local FCSS office, please read the following information as well as the Funding Criteria document.

Eligible Services

For services to be eligible, they must address the social well-being of those most affected by COVID-19 and the measures implemented to limit the spread of the virus.

Those impacted may include seniors, individuals with chronic medical conditions, caregivers, families with children at home and individuals with limited access to supports. Services should align with one or more of the following funding priorities:

Help people maintain independence, build resiliency and strengthen their ability to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic;
Provide supports to help sustain people remain members in the community during the COVID- 19 pandemic;
Fund civil society organizations to deliver projects for vulnerable Albertans who are in need during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
Coordinate services and programs to address the social well-being of vulnerable Albertans during the COVID-19

Examples of Eligible Services

Services to allow individuals, seniors and families who are isolated to have their home needs met, including home support and support services for children and families. Examples include: transportation or delivery of goods, such as groceries or prescriptions, housekeeping services, caregiver relief and other services.
Services to build capacity and strengthen volunteer work in the community. Examples include: food and meal service delivery, grocery shopping, helplines, volunteer support coordination, out of pocket expenses for volunteers and information services.
Provide alternate ways of supporting individuals and families so people can function within this new environment. Examples include: telephone mentoring, counselling/emotional mental health supports and supports to help address economic and food security needs.
Expand or supplement efforts to provide information and referral services and telephone/online support. Examples include: crisis/distress lines, 211 services, promotion of information and services, posters and signage.

Ineligible Expenses

Ineligible expenses include but are not limited to the following:

Any expense NOT related to addressing the social well-being of those most vulnerable due to COVID-19.
Offering direct assistance in the form of money or shelter.
Being primarily rehabilitative or health-focused in nature.
Purchase of any capital assets.
Any costs required to sustain an organization that do not relate to direct service delivery under the project.
Reporting Requirements

Funding criteria

View the full funding criteria information sheet from the Government of Alberta

Additional Requirements

Organizations chosen to provide services and supports will need to sign an agreement and submit a report at the end of the grant term. This report must demonstrate that activities were completed and monies spent as described in the agreement.

Grant funding must be expended by March 31, 2021. Any surplus dollars from the grant must be returned and cannot be carried over to the following fiscal year (2021/2022).