ECF and EPCOR commit further funding to COVID-19 Relief

Edmonton Community Foundation’s (ECF) Rapid Response Fund is receiving a $50,000 donation from EPCOR — support that will make an important difference to helping meet the needs of people and families hardest hit by the pandemic. This contribution is in addition to a $150,000 grant from EPCOR to support ECF’s urgent pandemic response last year.

“This generous donation will allow us to continue supporting Edmonton’s charitable sector as it navigates what we hope is the tail-end of the pandemic,” Martin Garber-Conrad, ECF’s CEO says. “It’s the vision and generosity of community partners like EPCOR that have enabled the Rapid Response Fund to have an incredible, positive impact during this difficult time.”

The Rapid Response Fund was seeded by ECF in March 2020 with an initial commitment of $500,000 of its discretionary dollars. On March 17, 2021 the Foundation’s Board approved an additional $500,000 for the fund. Together, with support of donors and community partners, ECF has provided more than $4 million to help charities address immediate and long-term needs related to the pandemic.

This has included providing hundreds of laptops to low-income students and their families through the United Way’s All in for Youth Program; helping Meals on Wheels purchase food handling equipment to continue providing thousands of meals to seniors; and helping organizations including the YWCA move essential mental health and counselling services to accessible online platforms.

“The Edmonton Community Foundation makes a tremendous impact on providing charities with the financial support they need during these difficult times,” says Stuart Lee, EPCOR President & CEO. “People and families across our community continue to feel the devastating impacts of the pandemic and EPCOR understands the importance of being there when your community needs you the most.”

This recent contribution is the latest round of support from EPCOR to COVID relief in Edmonton. Since the beginning of the pandemic, EPCOR has invested an additional $3 million back into the community in support of COVID relief and recovery efforts. This support is over and above their annual community investment programs.

“We can achieve great things when the community comes together,” Garber-Conrad says. “We can’t thank EPCOR enough for their support.”

Learn more about ECF’s Rapid Response Fund. Interviews available upon request.