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COVID-19 affected the non-profit sector’s ability to deliver programs, offer services, and earn revenue. Various resources and financial assistance opportunities are available for non-profits to curb some challenges organizations are facing.
On March 23, AGLC released an update for non-profits with several key points listed below.
On June 10, AGLC released an update Q&A on matters related to Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy, charitable gaming, and casino fundraisers.
Changes to Eligible Expenses
The following uses are now eligible without the requirement for submission of forms normally used for these requests:
Facility
Groups that normally use a maximum 50 per cent use from gaming proceeds may use 100 per cent for operating expenses at this time.
Wages & Salaries
Groups may use gaming proceeds any positions that provide charitable services, even if the group is not able to carry out normal operations during the crisis.
Emergency Assistance
Groups may use gaming proceeds to assist members or individuals who are facing dire or serious circumstances.
Donations
Groups may use gaming proceeds for donations to other licensed groups or non-licensed groups to assist with charitable purposes. If the donation is made outside Alberta or Canada, AGLC staff are available to provide prior approval using the out of country donation request form, along with the Statutory Declaration and Recipient Agreement forms.
Canadian Red Cross
Groups may use gaming proceeds for emergency purposes relating to COVID 19 anywhere in the world if the proceeds are provided directly to the Canadian Red Cross.
Aid of the Distressed
Groups may use gaming proceeds for programs and services that address issues of social concern such as poverty, mental or physical illness, or disability.
Case-by-case
Upon request, gaming proceeds may be considered for other uses not included above. Please contact AGLC directly at the email address noted below.
Inquiries may be directed to gaming.useofproceeds@aglc.ca with the subject line: COVID 19 UOP Request.
More information and ongoing updates are available at www.aglc.ca/covid-19.
Read on for existing and emerging financial assistance options available to non-profits. Check back often as we will add new opportunities as they are announced.
For Human Resources assistance, including wage subsidies and Employment Insurance options, visit the Human Resources page of our COVID-19 portal.
For a quick overview of various forms of support available to individuals and non-profits, view our running list compiled in partnership with ALIGN Association of Community Services and the Alberta Council of Disability Services, last updated May 1, 2020.
Emergency Assistance
Federal Programs
To ensure that small businesses have access to the capital they need to see them through the current challenges, the Government of Canada announced the launch of the new Canada Emergency Business Account, which will be implemented by eligible financial institutions in cooperation with Export Development Canada (EDC).
This $25 billion program will provide interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced, due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus.
Small businesses and not-for-profits should contact their financial institution to apply for these loans.
Per expanded eligibility criteria announced on May 19, organizations must demonstrate that they paid less than $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. Additional criteria apply for organizations whose payroll equalled less than $20,000 in 2019.
The Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) is a $350 million emergency funding program from the Government of Canada.
The fund is designed to help Canada’s most vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 crisis.
Applications may be submitted starting on May 19 until July 27, 2020 for activities occurring between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.
Eligible community organizations will be able to apply for funds through three national partners or their local entities.
The Government of Canada is providing $100 million to national, regional, and local organizations across Canada to:
These organizations – including but not limited to Food Banks Canada, Salvation Army, Second Harvest, Community Food Centres Canada, and Breakfast Club of Canada – will work with partners to meet the urgent food needs of Canadians.
The new COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations will provide $500 million to help address the financial needs of affected organizations within these sectors so they can continue to support artists and athletes. The Fund will be administered by Canadian Heritage with the support of its partners.
Support will be provided in a manner consistent with other COVID-19 supports such as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA).
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses provides relief for small businesses and non-profits experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. It offers unsecured, forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners to:
Impacted small business tenants are businesses paying less than $50,000 per month in rent and who have temporarily ceased operations or have experienced at least a 70 per cent drop in pre-COVID-19 revenues.
CThe Government of Canada launched the Surplus Food Rescue Program to help manage and redirect food surpluses to organizations addressing food insecurity. Organizations can bid on surplus products at the cost of production or less.
Provincial Programs
The Government of Alberta has committed $200 million in funding to ease the impacts of new measures businesses and non-profits need to implement in order to reopen. Eligible businesses and non-profits can access up to $5000 for relaunch costs including risk mitigation initiatives, rent and wages.
The Alberta government is providing $30 million in immediate funding to charities, not-for-profits and civil society organizations to support their responses to the COVID-19 public health crisis. This funding will support social services organizations in enabling social distancing, and can help provide supports and services for at-risk seniors and vulnerable populations.
Charities, not-for-profits and civil society organizations looking to help Albertans during the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for this funding.
For services to be eligible, they must address the social well-being of those most affected by COVID19 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 or individuals with limited access to supports.
The Government of Alberta will provide a one-time grant funding of up to $25 million for eligible projects and services to enhance community mental health and addiction recovery supports and services.
Funding will be distributed through three calls for proposals from Alberta Health.
Approved projects are eligible for up to $500,000.
Overall administration of the funding should not exceed 1%.
The Government of Alberta is reallocating money from the Community Initiatives Program Project-based grant to the Community Initiatives Program Operating grant. This reallocation provides additional support to struggling front-line charities and non-profits to maintain their core operations and provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The May and September intakes of the Community Initiatives Program Operating grant will be combined into one intake in June to help flow much-needed dollars to front-line organizations faster.
Non-profit organizations that own or operate overnight camps for children and youth and meet criteria will be able to apply for a one-time grant to help with ongoing facility costs to open next year. Program details and an online application are expected soon. Applications will be accepted until August 31.
Municipal Programs
Eligible Edmonton-based organizations that support local business and economic development can apply for the City of Edmonton’s Economic Recovery Grant for either short term recovery or long term initiatives.
NGO Grant Programs
Breakfast Club of Canada is issuing special grants for community organizations to help ensure children and families have access to food during the crisis.
Additional Resources
Eligible organizations can now register for Grant Connect’s Community Edition, and will have work-from-home (WFH) access until June 30, 2020.
Grant Connect helps Canadian non-profits access comprehensive listings of funders and grant opportunities.
The Community Edition is typically accessed in person at licensed libraries, universities, and resource centre computers, but Imagine Canada is opening up access due to the recent COVID-19 closures. The service is exclusively for Canadian charities, and the length of access may be extended depending on how the situation evolves.
T2 & T1044 Filing Deadlines Extended
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has extended the filing deadline for the T2 Corporate Income Tax Return and T1044 Non-Profit Organizations (NPO) Information Return.
The new deadline is June 1, 2020.
This applies to all incorporated non-profits whose filing deadline falls between March 18, 2020 and June 1, 2020. Typically, incorporated non-profits must file their return no later than six months after the end of their fiscal year.
More information is available via the CRA website.
T3010 Filing Deadline Extended
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has extended the filing deadline for registered charities with Form T3010, Registered Charity Information Return.
The new filing deadline is December 31, 2020.
This applies to all registered charities with Form T3010 whose filing deadline falls between March 18, 2020 and December 31, 2020.
More information is available via the CRA website.
As part of government actions taken in dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Charities Directorate is extending the filing deadline to December 31, 2020, for all charities with a Form T3010, Registered Charity Information Return due between March 18, 2020 and December 31, 2020. This will allow charities more time to complete and submit their T3010, recognizing that charities will be focused on deploying their resources to address the effects of the COVID-19 virus situation.
The Charities Directorate has suspended all operations until further notice, which includes our call centre as well as all registration and audit activities. For information on operating a charity, you are encouraged to review the Charities and Giving webpages.
Charities are also encouraged to register for CRA’s secure online services. Through My Business Account, you and your representatives can access the new digital services for charities, which provide you with the ability to complete and file online Form T3010.
We apologize for the inconvenience and we will provide updates as the situation evolves.
