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Community Foundations Working in Social Justice: Examples
Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF) recently made a bold commitment to social justice by
directing its entire Community Fund to poverty alleviation and prevention, through an initiative called Tackling
Poverty Together.
In February 2004, after extensive research and deliberation, HCF’s Board of Directors decided to focus the
resources of the Community Fund on poverty for the next four years. This step means that approximately $750,000
each year, for a total of $3 million, will be available to help local charitable organizations find ways to
reduce poverty and alleviate its effects.
HCF’s Board took this step because poverty is a huge and increasing concern in Hamilton. One in five
Hamiltonians are living in poverty, and the number is even higher for children, single parent families, seniors,
and immigrants. Poverty is the root cause of a multitude of community problems. The reality of these statistics –
the compromised lives of so many Hamilton families and children - is reflected in all sectors the Community Fund
has traditionally granted in: education, health and human services, arts and culture, recreation, and the environment.
The Community Fund will continue to grant in those fields, but "all grants will be focused on work that meets
the critical needs of disadvantaged individuals and families, removes barriers to full participation experienced by
the poor, builds capacity in poor communities, or deals with systemic conditions that lead to poverty."
To inform this granting focus and promote community-wide collaboration on poverty, Hamilton Community Foundation
has established a Tackling Poverty Together Advisory Committee, including people who have in-depth knowledge about the
Hamilton community and bring expertise in community economic development, poverty reduction strategies, program
delivery, evaluation, and other key areas.
See Hamilton Community Foundation’s Web site for granting guidelines and other
details: www.hcf.on.ca
The Winnipeg Foundation has made a five-year commitment to improve the prospects of
families in one disadvantaged neighbourhood.
The Centennial Neighbourhood of Winnipeg has more than its share of challenges like drugs, sub-standard
housing, and poverty (average household income in Centennial is less than half the Winnipeg average) but it
also has important assets: schools, community agencies, parents and indigenous leaders. The Winnipeg Foundation
is working with the local community to draw those assets together and build upon them. Under-investment in
children has been likened to "compound disinterest" and the Foundation’s strategy aims to turn that
around.
In concert with the Moffat Family Fund (a donor-advised fund at The Winnipeg Foundation), the Foundation is
investing $500,000 per year for five years in the neighbourhood. The strategy includes funding family literacy
programs and other pre- and after-school programs, providing assistance to Dufferin School, and supporting local
residents and community service agencies. Residents are playing a key role in identifying priorities. The project
emphasizes prevention, capacity building, inclusiveness, collaboration, partnership, and "building the community
from the inside out." Local hiring and internships are contributing to employment in the area. The program also
aims to identify best practices that might contribute to public policy for other inner-city neighbourhoods.
For more information and updates, see The Winnipeg Foundation’s
Web site: www.wpgfdn.org
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