Rapid Relief Fund

Over $6 Million Invested in the Community!

Thank You!

Over 15,000 donations have been given to the Rapid Relief Fund, helping raise $6 million for local COVID-19 relief. Together with the Victoria Foundation, Times Colonist and the Jawl family , you’ve helped provide over 105 grants totalling over $6 million to organizations serving those who are less prepared to deal with the health, social and economic impacts of the pandemic.

Grants will continue to go out until all donations received are distributed. Please visit our Disbursements page for more information on grants from the fund.

Still Interested in Supporting COVID Community Relief Efforts? You Can!

Some of our community’s toughest days are still ahead of us.

The Foundation is working closely with our partners to understand evolving emergency relief needs, while also supporting the recovery and resilience of the civil society sector more broadly. Over the next six to 18 months, at minimum, there will be a need to support the sector’s financial health, including organizations working across all sectors such as the arts, environment, recreation and education areas that have not been eligible for Rapid Relief Fund support.

Donate here to the Rapid Relief Fund or visit our Community Action Funds page for more about how you can support recovery efforts.

Donate to the Rapid Relief Fund

If you are donating in support of a specific event, please make note of this in the comments section of the form below.

Can I still give to the Rapid Relief Fund?

Yes. Please use the form above to make a donation online.
What have been the funding priorities of the Rapid Relief Fund?
Needs were identified by community leaders working in coronavirus emergency relief, including:
- Prevention of homelessness, including support to organizations that provide rent and income subsidies
- Access to food (e.g. food banks, meal programs)
- Providing navigation of government or other financial supports and programs available to individuals and families
- Physical and mental health supports (e.g. assisting service providers to purchase equipment or receive training to follow Health Authority recommended health protocols)
- Other areas identified based on community needs and input from the Community Advisory
What organizations have received money from the fund so far?

The Rapid Relief Fund has provided grant awards on a rolling basis to Federally Registered Charities and Qualified Donees across the Victoria capital region and Cowichan Valley area to support urgent community needs.
Staff at the Victoria Foundation have assembled the input of a voluntary advisory committee comprised of community leaders working in coronavirus emergency relief to help assess both the needs within the community and the capacities of organizations to respond rapidly, and to assist in bringing grant recommendations to the Victoria Foundation Board for approval. As the fund comes to a close, all donations designated for the Rapid Relief Fund will be disbursed as immediate grants. No exceptions.

The Victoria Foundation is waiving all fees for services for this fund so that every dollar collected is granted out.

For more information, visit our Rapid Relief Fund Disbursements page.
Has the full amount of donations gone to charities? Will fees be deducted?

The Victoria Foundation is waiving all fees for services and credit card transactions so that 100% of your donation will go directly to charitable organizations supported by the fund.
How can I stay up to date on the impact of the fund in our community?

You can find updates on the impact of your support to the Rapid Relief Fund through our local media partners including the Times Colonist, CHEK News and Black Press community news, as well as on our website.
I’m an individual who’s been affected by COVID-19. Can this Fund help me?

We understand many individuals and families are being affected by the outbreak. The Fund is focused on moving resources to community-based organizations that directly support local residents and families who are experiencing health, economic and social impacts from COVID-19.

While the Fund will not provide grants directly to individuals, it is funding trusted community organizations that are providing people and families with services and support.

Click here for more information on the agencies funded.
Can my organization apply to receive funding? Or can I recommend an organization to receive funding?

The Rapid Relief Fund is no longer accepting funding requests. We encourage you to keep up to date on other COVID-19-related funding opportunities by exploring the Greater Victoria Community Funding Opportunities page. This was set-up in collaboration with the Greater Victoria Funders Network and will continue to be updated as information becomes available.
I live north of the Malahat. Will the fund support organizations in my community?

Yes. Grants have already been awarded to organizations north of the Malahat, and we continue to assess opportunities to provide support in this area in conjunction with local agencies and funding partners.
Where can I read what people are saying about the fund?

Please read these inspirational comments provided by donors to the Rapid Relief Fund. (updated regularly)
Where can I get more information?

You can find a list of media stories and other breaking information on the Fund on our What’s New page.

For all other questions and inquiries, please email info@victoriafoundation.bc.ca or call 250-381-5532.