Kids Can Fly is delighted to have received funding for a Capacity Building Project through the Community Services Recovery Fund program in 2023.
“This funding has provided us with the opportunity to make significant investments in Kids Can Fly’s sustainability and impact,” says Executive Director Becca McLellan. “Having the financial foundation to emphasize capacity building has been an incredible opportunity for us.”
The Community Services Recovery Fund was a one-time $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities and non-profits as they focus on how to adapt their organizations for pandemic recovery.
Kids Can Fly received $35,470 for the Capacity Building Project. This project addressed major gaps in the systems and processes in the organization’s overall structure with a focus on financial sustainability, strategic development, and program delivery optimization.
These efforts helped Kids Can Fly to adapt to improved standards of governance, handle the reimplementation of our dormant programs, and create a readiness in our frontline programs for innovation and partnerships.
“The Community Service Recovery Fund has been instrumental in assisting Kids Can Fly through a year long Strategic Planning process,” says Cynthia Andrew, Chair of the Board of Directors. “With the funding, Kids Can Fly has been able to access expert advice to guide, advise and facilitate, both at the committee level and at a Board-wide planning session.
“We were able to develop, conduct and analyze surveys of program participants, volunteers, staff, donors and other interested parties. We are very excited to be able to launch our Strategic Plan at our next Annual General Meeting. The Plan will guide our organization in program optimization, community service and engagement, and financial stewardship for the next 3 to 5 years.”
The majority of funding supported the use of staff time to work on capacity building, but also made space for planning events, computers, software, and the hiring of a strategic planning consultant.
As the fund wraps up, Kids Can Fly wishes to express gratitude to the Government of Canada and Community Foundations of Canada, and in particular the Brant Community Foundation, for facilitating this funding at a local level.
The fund cycle is now complete.