Recently, ACCA and supporting associations successfully received funds in response to a grant submission to the Civil Society Fund offered through the Alberta government in January 2021.
During this period of extreme financial pressures due to COVID-19, co-ops, nonprofits and charities across Alberta are looking for creative measures to retain staff, pay rent, and maintain positive cash flow. While the experts are learning more and more each day, no one can say with certainty when the COVID-19 pandemic will end.
Ultimately, there will be a lasting impact on the way co-operatives, nonprofits and charities operate. An absolute certainty is that even with COVID-19 in the rear-view mirror, the 'new normal' will likely include operational practices previously thought to be impossible.
ACCESS - co-aligned, professional support when it's needed
The diverse group brought together through the efforts of the grant writing project will be working on developing a shared services platform. The platform will be designed to support the work of front-end staff and reduce overall administrative costs for civil society organizations across Alberta. ACCESS will provide co-operatives, nonprofits and charities with a pool of co-aligned qualified professional support without the need for a long-term or full-time commitment.
Program Launch within the Year
The Steering Committee has been developed and has met and discussed the initial short-term goals of the project. They are planning to launch the platform within the year and look to civil society organizations in Alberta and eventually BC to provide guidance and direction. More information will follow as plans are formalized. Nonprofits, charities and co-operatives in Alberta interested in hearing about the platform's release are encouraged to forward their contact information to access@acca.coop.
More about Alberta's Civil Society Fund
The government of Alberta's Civil Society Fund (CSF) provides $20 million over three years to expand civil society's capacity to address social problems for Albertans.
Funding for 2020-21 is being provided to 21 civil society organizations across the province. Successful grant recipients are providing services to support civil society's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Civil Society Fund 2020-21 grant recipient list (PDF, 305 KB)
Civil society includes nonprofit and voluntary organizations, registered charities, informal groups or movements pursuing shared interests or values and private-sector organizations and individuals pursuing social good.