Trillium grant helping Feed the Need Durham’s Oshawa office develop fundraising plan

Feed the Need Durham’s fundraising efforts got a boost this month from a $66,000 grant from the provincial government that will help the agency enhance its fundraising capability.

The grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation was used to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 by completing a fundraising assessment and developing a three-year resource development plan to support operational sustainability and growth.

Feed the Need in Durham also put the money to use by investing in a comprehensive fundraising planning process that incorporated human, technological, and communication resources and included hiring a fundraising leader to oversee efforts.

The organization is also launching Raiser’s Edge as their new customer relationship management platform tailored for non-profits and implementing additional programs to streamline operations.

By leveraging data analytics from Raiser’s Edge, Feed the Need Durham was able to target outreach more effectively, engage donors meaningfully, and improve overall fundraising efficiency, said CEO Ben Earle.

“This grant has provided the essential resources needed to enhance our organization and continue our mission to nourish the community, Earle explained, while also emphasizing the money has enabled agency to expand its programs, improve operational efficiency, and ultimately reach more individuals and families in need.

“With these resources, Feed the Need in Durham is better equipped to address food insecurity and make a lasting difference in the lives of those they serve.”

The funding also helped the organization focus on training staff and volunteers in effective fundraising strategies and communication methods.

Feed the Need Durham works in partnership with 65 hunger relief programs, hundreds of volunteers, and thousands of community supporters to fight food insecurity in Durham Region, distributing 2.5 million pounds of food each year.

Oshawa MPP Jennifer French dropped in on the team Friday to hear more about the grant and Feed the Need’s future plans.

“Thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for investing in Oshawa. The work that Feed the Need in Durham does is so vital for so many. The grant will ensure they have the operational resources to reach further to feed more across our community.”

You can make a monetary donation to Feed the Need Durham online or over the phone at (905) 571-3863. The donation line is staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

You can also drop off non-perishable food donations at the Feed the Need warehouse at 371 Marwood Drive in Oshawa.