The charitable and non-profit sector is important for healthy and vibrant communities across Durham Region. The sector involves community agencies that provide programs and services for many aspects of a resident’s life—at all ages and stages—supporting key issues impacting our community. These include food insecurity, homelessness, mental health, social isolation, addictions, human trafficking, job loss, and housing, among many others.
In Durham Region, the non-profit sector is experiencing declining donations following the pandemic and a volunteer shortage at a time when the demand for their services is increasing. Like residents, charities and non-profits are also impacted by rising costs due to inflation. While charities and non-profits may receive funding from government sources, they rely heavily on local donations and volunteers to sustain needed programs and services.
Ongoing support can be provided to local non-profit agencies across Durham Region through donations of money or goods, volunteering time and expertise, and encouraging others to do the same.
Donating gently used items and food is one way you can help those in need.
Non-profit agencies are facing increased demand but are struggling with declining donations following the pandemic. While cleaning out your closet or pantry, please consider donating your gently used toys, clothing, unopened food, and other household items to your local food bank or shelter.
Volunteering your time and expertise is one of the greatest ways you can give back to your community.
Volunteers are vital to the success of our non-profits. We are facing a volunteer shortage at a time when the demand for the important services our non-profits provide is increasing. We can help our non-profits by volunteering our time and encouraging others to do the same. Volunteering is a great way to give back, meet new people, and gain personal and professional experience.
In addition to government funding, local charities and non-profit agencies rely on donations to provide important programs and services. Giving to local charities or non-profits is a helpful way to ensure their important services continue to make a difference in our community. If you're able to, please consider making an unrestricted gift to a local charity or non-profit that has made a difference in your life or your loved ones.
Share your experience
Durham Region is a caring community. We're encouraging residents of Durham Region to share their experiences volunteering at, or donating to, a local non-profit agency in Durham Region. Where did you volunteer or donate? Why is this organization special to you? Sharing your experience may encourage others to do the same, and can help shed light on some of the important services our non-profits provide to the community. Share your experience on social media using the hashtag #DurhamGivesBack!
Learn more about what Durham Region is doing to support non-profits
Durham Region’s charitable and non-profit sector play a crucial role in cultivating thriving and vibrant communities.
The Region of Durham’s Social Services Department supports the local non-profit sector through the Community Social Investment Program (CSIP). Through the CSIP, the Region allocates public funds to initiatives/organizations aimed at improving human services, reducing poverty, promoting wellness, and serving marginalized and equity-deserving groups. The program prioritizes community engagement, collaborative solutions, and transparent reporting to foster trust and accountability.
A key component of the CSIP is the Thriving Communities Fund, which is funding that supports operational and/or capacity-building activities. In 2024, the Thriving Communities Fund provided up to $50,000 each, to twelve non-profit organizations.
The Region of Durham remains committed to building resilient communities by investing in local non-profits that enhance residents’ quality of life. For more information about the CSIP, please visit the Community Social Investment Program page.
The charitable and non-profit sector is important for healthy and vibrant communities across Durham Region. The sector involves community agencies that provide programs and services for many aspects of a resident’s life—at all ages and stages—supporting key issues impacting our community. These include food insecurity, homelessness, mental health, social isolation, addictions, human trafficking, job loss, and housing, among many others.
In Durham Region, the non-profit sector is experiencing declining donations following the pandemic and a volunteer shortage at a time when the demand for their services is increasing. Like residents, charities and non-profits are also impacted by rising costs due to inflation. While charities and non-profits may receive funding from government sources, they rely heavily on local donations and volunteers to sustain needed programs and services.
Ongoing support can be provided to local non-profit agencies across Durham Region through donations of money or goods, volunteering time and expertise, and encouraging others to do the same.
Donating gently used items and food is one way you can help those in need.
Non-profit agencies are facing increased demand but are struggling with declining donations following the pandemic. While cleaning out your closet or pantry, please consider donating your gently used toys, clothing, unopened food, and other household items to your local food bank or shelter.
Volunteering your time and expertise is one of the greatest ways you can give back to your community.
Volunteers are vital to the success of our non-profits. We are facing a volunteer shortage at a time when the demand for the important services our non-profits provide is increasing. We can help our non-profits by volunteering our time and encouraging others to do the same. Volunteering is a great way to give back, meet new people, and gain personal and professional experience.
In addition to government funding, local charities and non-profit agencies rely on donations to provide important programs and services. Giving to local charities or non-profits is a helpful way to ensure their important services continue to make a difference in our community. If you're able to, please consider making an unrestricted gift to a local charity or non-profit that has made a difference in your life or your loved ones.
Share your experience
Durham Region is a caring community. We're encouraging residents of Durham Region to share their experiences volunteering at, or donating to, a local non-profit agency in Durham Region. Where did you volunteer or donate? Why is this organization special to you? Sharing your experience may encourage others to do the same, and can help shed light on some of the important services our non-profits provide to the community. Share your experience on social media using the hashtag #DurhamGivesBack!
Learn more about what Durham Region is doing to support non-profits
Durham Region’s charitable and non-profit sector play a crucial role in cultivating thriving and vibrant communities.
The Region of Durham’s Social Services Department supports the local non-profit sector through the Community Social Investment Program (CSIP). Through the CSIP, the Region allocates public funds to initiatives/organizations aimed at improving human services, reducing poverty, promoting wellness, and serving marginalized and equity-deserving groups. The program prioritizes community engagement, collaborative solutions, and transparent reporting to foster trust and accountability.
A key component of the CSIP is the Thriving Communities Fund, which is funding that supports operational and/or capacity-building activities. In 2024, the Thriving Communities Fund provided up to $50,000 each, to twelve non-profit organizations.
The Region of Durham remains committed to building resilient communities by investing in local non-profits that enhance residents’ quality of life. For more information about the CSIP, please visit the Community Social Investment Program page.
