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Eight Local Community Organizations to Receive Community Benefits Funding

June 16, 2021

Windsor, Ontario • The Gordie Howe International Bridge team announced the distribution of $100,000 (CDN) to several local organizations as part of the project Community Benefits Plan. This marks the second annual funding release from the Community Organization Investment, and will be used to fund eight exciting and unique projects – four in Windsor and four in Detroit.

The Community Organization Investment, one initiative under the broader Community Benefits Plan, is a five-year annual investment allowance with $50,000 (CDN) allocated to registered non-profit or charitable organizations located in or serving residents in Sandwich/west Windsor and Delray/Southwest Detroit respectively. The funds support events, programming and infrastructure improvements that will benefit the communities and align with one of the community investment priorities identified through public consultation.

This year’s recipients will receive funding in July 2021. The projects include:

Canada:

  • Essex County Black Historical Research Society: Across the River to Freedom: Early Black History in Sandwich, Ontario
  • Border City Athletics Club: Women Can Summit Series
  • The John McGivney Children’s Centre: A Bridge to Play McGivney: New Accessible Ramp
  • Windsor Police Services Community Services Branch in partnership with New Beginnings: Sandwich Community DiverCity BBQ

US:

  • First Latin America Baptist Church of Detroit: Community Recreation Service Center
  • Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation: Delray Bilingual Programs for Family Assistance
  • Unity in Our Community TimeBank: Joyful Movement Outside
  • Clark Park Coalition: Southwest Detroit Winter Carnival 2022 at Clark Park.

The recipients were selected following an application process that ran from November 2020 through January 2021 and resulted in 30 eligible submissions. The project’s Local Community Group, comprised of stakeholders from the host communities, played a significant role in reviewing the applications and providing recommendations to the project team.

As part of this initiative, community organizations can apply annually for funding for events, programming and infrastructure improvements in amounts ranging from $1,000 – $25,000 (CDN). The application process for the 2022 funding cycle is anticipated to open in November 2021.

QUICK FACTS

  • Funding under the Community Organization Investment initiative will occur each year between 2020 to 2024 and is one of over 25 initiatives that make up the Neighbourhood Infrastructure Strategy component of the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan.
  • Initiatives that are eligible for funding must align with one of the community investment priorities identified during public consultation on Community Benefits. These priorities include community partnerships, community safety and connections, aesthetics and landscaping and economic benefits.
  • The Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan is being delivered by Bridging North America with collaboration and oversight from WDBA and the State of Michigan.
  • A Local Community Group representing the communities of Delray, Sandwich, Windsor-Essex County and the Greater Detroit Area has been formed by WDBA to act as informal partners during the implementation of the Community Benefits Plan.