Community Investments
Community Investments
The Community Impact Fund (formerly the General Community Fund) is dedicated to addressing urgent community needs through local solutions. Please note that there have been key changes to the application process. Going forward, each funding quarter will focus on one or two specific issue areas, and applications must align with the designated focus areas. This streamlined approach enhances our review process, introducing new criteria to evaluate equity, diversity, and inclusion, and provides greater predictability for community organizations as they plan for the year ahead.
Children & Youth
$509,000 invested into 15 grants
Empowering children and youth with the support they need to break the cycle of poverty is essential for their long-term success. This includes opportunities for healthy social, emotional, and physical development, to reduce the risk of facing challenges later in life.
Hate, Gender-based & Family Violence
Incidents of hate, gender-based, and family violence have continued to rise across Waterloo Region. This grant will provide essential resources to help individuals escape dangerous situations and rebuild their lives in safety, offering them the support they need for a fresh start.
Funded Organizations | Funding Type | Issue Area Sub-Category |
Mentoring Programs for Children and Youth Trauma-Informed Support | Mentorship, Leadership and Volunteer Opportunities | |
Services for Child and Youth Victims and Families | Counselling/Mental Health Support, Systems Navigation and Advocacy | |
General Operating Support (GOS) | Crisis Support/Outreach, Emergency & Transitional Housing | |
General Operating Support (GOS) | Social Development, Emotional Development | |
RiseAbove Community Education Program | Systems Navigation and Advocacy, Tutoring/Academic Support | |
General Operating Support (GOS) | Social Development, Leadership and Volunteer Opportunities | |
General Operating Support (GOS) | Children and Youth Homelessness, Systems Navigation and Advocacy | |
Supports for survivors of sexual violence from equity-deserving communities | Counselling/Recovery | |
General Operating Support (GOS) | Crisis Support/Outreach, Emergency & Transitional Housing | |
General Operating Support (GOS) | Education/Prevention, Emergency & Transitional Housing | |
General Operating Support (GOS) | Social Development, Emotional Development |
Affordable Housing & Homelessness
$550,000 invested into 11 grants
Poverty is a multifaceted issue influenced by numerous intersecting factors that can hinder an individual's ability to meet basic needs such as shelter. This cause area encompasses initiatives such as prevention measures, emergency shelters, assistance with securing permanent housing, and support services aimed at mitigating the adverse health impacts related to being unhoused.
Funded Organizations | Funding Type | Issue Area/Sub-Category |
ShelterCare (Men's Shelter) | Homelessness Prevention, Emergency Shelter | |
General Operating Support (GOS) | Homelessness Prevention, Research/Advocacy | |
Belonging and Inclusion Program | Supportive Housing, Finding & Securing Housing | |
General Operating Support (GOS) | Emergency Shelter, Finding & Securing Housing | |
General Operating Support (GOS) | Emergency Shelter, Supportive Housing | |
General Operating Support (GOS) | Homelessness Prevention, Transitional Housing | |
General Operating Support (GOS) | Transitional Housing, Finding & Securing Housing |
Strategic Partnerships:
Through annualized quarterly funding, UWWRC maintains a strategic partnerships with three key organizations that provide vital sector-wide infrastructure and coordination.
Funded Organizations | Funding Type |
General Operating Support (GOS) | |
Youth Impact Project (formerly "United for Youth") | |
General Operating Support (GOS) | |
General Operating Support (GOS) |
Future Funding Cycles:
Community & Social Supports
A sense of belonging and connection is essential to our well-being. Services or activities that unite people through shared goals or interests, provide systems navigation, and offer wrap-around support help ensure that everyone can fully participate and feel valued in their community.
Literacy, Employment Skills & Assistive Devices
These essential skills and tools empower individuals to fully engage in daily life. Whether it’s academic support, job-related education, financial literacy, or assistive devices that promote independence, these resources provide the foundation for people to thrive and reach their full potential.
Mental Health & Addictions
Asking for help can be daunting, but accessing mental health and addiction support should be simple, stigma-free, and tailored to individual needs, ensuring no one is left behind. This grant allows us to break down barriers, expand access, and provide personalized support, helping to build a system where mental health care is a right, not a privilege.
