A $61,800 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation will help Spectrum Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space to build its resilience and sustainability by engaging expertise from The Fundraising Lab to improve its fundraising capabilities.
“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will be long-term,” said Scott Williams, Executive Director of Spectrum. “Spectrum has grown and transformed considerably in the past three years, but at this stage we need assistance to improve our fundraising practices.”
This grant allows Spectrum to contract with The Fundraising Lab. Founder and CEO, Cathy Mann, has a wealth of experience in the charitable sector spanning more than three decades. The Fundraising Lab will conduct a database, systems and process review and also work with Spectrum to craft meaningful messaging that can be used to attract more donors. Cathy says, “we’re excited to be able to work with Spectrum to help them become a more sustainable organization.”
Spectrum provides more than 30 different groups and events for 2SLGBTQIA+ people across Waterloo Region each month. These include peer support groups for newcomers, older adults, and transgender people, a monthly circle for Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer people, and a variety of recreational programs including a Multi-Sport Drop-In that takes place at three different community centres across the region. They also have new programming for 2SLGBTQIA+ children aged 4-12 that is delivered in partnership with all four library systems.
“We’re doing more than we have ever done before,” says Williams, “and we do it without any annualized government funding. We rely on generous donations from individuals and businesses in the community, and on grants that we apply for to make our work possible.”
As Spectrum does more, they need more space, more resources, and funds to pay more employees. They currently have 51 active volunteers and three full-time employees. The organization will look to increase their fundraising revenues so they can better serve 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Waterloo Region.
Founded in 2012, SPECTRUM offers over 30 different groups and activities each month. SPECTRUM is an organization that serves, affirms, and supports the well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Waterloo Region and the broader community through peer support, community partnerships, education and training, resources, and events.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Visit otf.ca to learn more.