Dundas charities dealing with coronavirus impacts
Knox Presbyterian Church in Dundas is closed, and its congregation isolated, but members continue a strong commitment to charity, through innovation, despite the impacts of COVID-19.
Around 60 Dundas charities are registered with the Canada Revenue Agency. They raise and spend millions of dollars to support local programs and services.
Cancellations and closures due to COVID-19 affect the ability of charities to raise money, impacting services and charitable giving. Although long-term impacts are unclear, Dundas charities are trying to continue important work, and hopefully weather the storm.
According to information filed with the CRA, Knox church spent more than $277,000 on charitable programs in 2018, and raised more than $204,000 in charitable donations.
Knox treasurer Bob Sword said the full impact won’t be known until financial year-end. He’s keeping members updated and so far people are still contributing.
“We’re very fortunate,” Sword said. “The longer this goes, that very well could change.”
He said donation figures don’t include revenue from renting facilities for meetings, events and weddings — another income source for Knox charitable work.
That will clearly decline because gatherings cannot be held, and it’s not clear when they might return.
“We’ll feel a big hit,” Sword said. “We carry on, and do what we can and try to do it safely.”
Safety was a key consideration when the congregation held a church-wide food drive in support of the Dundas Salvation Army Food Bank on Saturday, May 23.
Volunteer drivers followed physical distancing guidelines while picking up contributions at 27 houses. Members living in apartments or condos were invited to make financial contributions.
“There was a sense, as a congregation, we wanted to do something concrete to help people,” Rev. Penny Garrison said.
Knox planned to enter a team in Wesley Urban Ministries’ Case for Kids Walk at Bayfront Park. With the event cancelled, the congregation is planning a virtual baking competition, with videos and live Zoom meetings, where people can sponsor a baking team.
“We’re trying to adapt to continue our participation,” Garrison said.
Carnegie Gallery fundraising and marketing staffer Michelle Murphy said the gallery relies heavily on donations and faces a significant reduction due to cancellation of in-person events.
“We are currently putting together an online fundraiser, 40 for 40, to be launched in the next few weeks and are increasing our requests for donations from our supporters,” Murphy said. “We have also instituted a membership drive, offering three free months of membership for existing supporters who renew their memberships, and for new members as well.”
The board that oversees Routes Youth Centre hopes donations from individuals and local business will remain stable. In 2018 it reported more than $141,000 in donations and more than $147,000 in charitable program spending.
“Where we’ve experienced the greatest loss is from our cancelled fundraising events,” said board chair Janey Piroli. “This will amount to a $40,000 impact on the budget.”
Routes staff have provided online programming for youth during the pandemic.
“We are currently reviewing alternative fundraising approaches to try to make up for the gap,” Piroli said.
The St. Joseph’s Villa Foundation raised $3.5 million in donations and gifts from other charities, between April 2018 and March 2019, to support the non-profit St. Joseph’s Villa long-term care facility. It’s also fundraising to build and operate a new Dundas hospice.
Foundation chief development officer Sarena Paton said isolation, physical distancing and cancellation of gatherings are best defence against COVID-19, but also challenge the organization to find ways to nurture relationships with donors and partners. The impact was immediate. A March 15 benefit concert, featuring Paton, was cancelled days before it was set.
“In the week that followed, we had to face the stark realization that all our spring and summer events would have to be cancelled,” Paton said.
The Villa Gala, the foundation’s largest annual fundraising event of the year, was held the last Friday of April for 18 years. Paton said the event takes months of planning and supports capital needs for Villa long-term care residents.
A new Margaret’s Place Hospice fundraiser, Croquet & Rosé, was scheduled for June, but postponed to 2021.
Paton said most difficult for foundation staff is the uncertainty of when face-to-face meetings with donors can resume, when event planning can begin, and when the foundation can celebrate achievements with the community.
“We thank all the community donors who are standing with us during this crisis,” Paton said. “We are overwhelmed by weekly deliveries of meals, treats, flowers and donations of personal protective equipment, and technology that help our residents cope with loneliness and isolation.”
She said donor support is critical in helping serve the needs of vulnerable St. Joseph’s Villa long-term care residents.
“We thank all the community donors who are standing with us during this crisis,” - Sarena Paton, St. Joseph’s Villa Foundation Chief Development Officer