London Community Foundation dishes out $1M for local food insecurity, housing initiatives

The 2022 Community Vitality Grants from London Community Foundation focus on areas outlined in the organization's vital signs report with funding provided by private donors.

Five London, Ont., non-profit organizations will be receiving a combined $1.08 million as part of the annual Community Vitality Grant, focusing on housing initiatives and food insecurity.

The grants from London Community Foundation focus on areas outlined in the organization’s vital signs report with funding provided by private donors.

Director of grants Lori Runciman says the recipients for 2022 all have projects addressing issues highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic essentially is continuing, and the consequences … are also continuing and worsening. We see the headlines – housing is one of the most pressing issues,” Runciman said.

Recipients will receive the funding over a period of up to three years with check-ins by the LCF to support them along the way.

The chosen organizations and the projects they’re running are:

The Building New Futures Together project will help train members of Chippewas Nation in construction to then use those skills to build micro homes for the community. The joint initiative will receive $342,000 over two years.

“There’s a lot of excitement within the community, among the members that have decided to participate, you know, in being a part of that construction program, because it gives them the opportunity to see themselves in building these homes for members of their community,” said Chippewas Jacqueline French.