The Gordie Howe International Bridge team announced the distribution of $100,000 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 Gordie Howe International Bridge project team is inspired by our host communities to deliver meaningful benefits that will serve as a catalyst for positive local change for years to come,” stated Bryce Phillips, CEO, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. “We are listening and collaborating with local residents and representatives to ensure that our community-based project initiatives continue to reflect local priorities and feedback.”
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.
“Bridging North America would like to congratulate the recipients of the 2021 Community Organization Investment fund,” added Michael Hatchell, CEO, Bridging North America. “We know each organization will do great things with these resources and we are proud to be contributing to the local communities on both sides of the border in a meaningful way.”
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
U.S.
- 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.
Featured image: Courtesy Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
