The national church and Northern Spirit Regional Council have updated key information on emergency finances.
National
Your homepage for all COVID related finances is here.
Updated information includes a new summary of United Church-related emergency financial options.
This includes a bridging loan application form that will be approved through your Regional Council.
This is the first time in living memory that emergency loans on this scale are available to communities of faith nationally. This program is made possible by a $3 million grant from The United Church of Canada Foundation. The money comes from the generous bequests of members over the years. Their gifts are ensuring the future of the church.
Please note that the federal government’s $40,000 CEBA loan is now off the table. Further updates on this may come.
Please review all information carefully, as the order in which you proceed is important. Here’s an overview of things you’ll need to consider as you make a financial plan.
The continuing weekly financial webinars at United in Learning are also an important support, but please be aware that information in the older recorded webinars has likely changed.
Regional
News from the Regional Council Executive: Emergency Financial Support for Communities of Faith
The Regional Council Executive met on April 20, and considered how the Regional Council might provide short-term relief to communities of faith during this time of pandemic uncertainty. In addition to emergency funding offered by the Government of Canada and the General Council of the United Church the following programs were approved:
Emergency Relief Fund: funds available to assist with disaster recovery and extraordinary costs related to the current emergency. (Not intended for major capital or payroll expenditures). Please apply through the Regional Office, attention Shannon McCarthy.
Interest Free Loans: (A) up to $1,500 per Community of Faith (1-year amortization), intended to assist with bridging payroll expenses until federal government funding becomes available. Please apply through the Regional Office, attention Earl Reaburn or Shannon McCarthy. (B) up to $10,000 per Community of Faith (5-year amortization) to assist with payroll and community engagement costs until the end of 2020. Please apply through the Regional Office, attention “Mission and Ministry Emergency Loans”.
For more information, or to apply for any of these programs, please contact the Regional Council Office. More information can also be found in the attached Regional Council Executive Newsletter.
