$1 Million COVID-19 Relief Fund

Our sincere appreciation to the hundreds of organizations who applied to our $1 Million COVID Relief Fund. The application process has now closed.

Cameco is pleased to announce that the company is supporting 67 community projects in Saskatoon and northern Saskatchewan through its $1 million Cameco COVID-19 Relief Fund.

“There are so many communities and charitable groups hit hard by this pandemic, yet their services are needed now more than ever,” said Cameco president and CEO Tim Gitzel. “We are extremely happy to be able to help 67 of these organizations continue to do the vital work they do every day to keep people safe and supported through this unprecedented time.”

Approved projects come from 40 Saskatchewan communities from Saskatoon to the province’s far north. A full listing can be found at the end of this release. Included in the support Cameco is providing are significant numbers of personal protective equipment (PPE) for northern Saskatchewan communities and First Nations – 10,000 masks, 7,000 pairs of gloves and 7,000 litres of hand sanitizer.

Donations of supplies and money from nearly 100 Cameco employees augmented the company’s initial $1 million contribution. Cameco will move quickly to begin delivering this support to the successful applicants.

“I’m proud of Cameco’s employees for stepping up yet again to support the communities where they live,” Gitzel said. “It happens every time we put out a call for help, a call for volunteers, a call to assist with any of our giving campaigns, and I can’t say enough about their generosity.”

Announced on April 15, the Cameco COVID-19 Relief Fund was open to applications from charities, not-for-profit organizations, town offices and First Nation band offices in Saskatoon and northern Saskatchewan that have been impacted by the pandemic. Eligible applicants could seek grants of up to $50,000 to assist in their efforts to overcome the effects COVID-19 has had on their ability to serve their communities and support people in need.

The initiative also demonstrated the overwhelming need that exists in Saskatoon and northern Saskatchewan in the midst of this pandemic. By the submission deadline of April 28, 581 applications had been received seeking more than $17.5 million in total funding assistance.

“The tremendous need out there is clear,” Gitzel said. “I would just encourage everyone – if you have the ability to help out, to volunteer, to make a donation, please do what you can to assist these organizations with the important work they are doing in our communities.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed lives around the world. In Saskatchewan, particularly in the north, tightly-knit communities continue to adapt to a new normal that includes physical distancing and a singular focus on reducing the spread of this virus to save lives.

At Cameco, we too are adapting to the rapidly-changing environment and will continue to do so for as long as it takes. What hasn’t changed at Cameco, however, is our commitment to the communities where we live, work and play.

We can only imagine the challenges that are facing less fortunate and vulnerable people in our community. But we do know that we want to help.

That’s why Cameco is announcing a $1 Million COVID Relief Fund for Saskatoon and northern Saskatchewan. Grants are available for charities, not for profits, town offices and First Nation band offices that have been impacted by COVID-19.

Funds must be used to help with the challenges of COVID-19 and can be directed to ongoing program support, targeted COVID-19 community response or specialized programs. Funds cannot be used for primarily staff salaries.

Relief Fund Details:

Eligibility:

Any not-for-profit, charity, town office or First Nation band office from Saskatoon to the far north that is impacted by COVID-19.

Guidelines:

• Deadline for applications – midnight, April 28, 2020.
• One-time grant of up to $50,000.
• Payment will not be made to individuals.
• Request must be directly related to the impact COVID-19 is having on the charity, not for profit, town or First Nation band.
• If a community is applying, funds must be made payable to the town office or First Nation band office.
• A detailed budget must accompany the request.
• The majority of funds cannot be used for salaries, staff, or building/infrastructure costs.
• Financial and impact reporting will be required from funded applicants.
• Once approved, 75% of the funding will be released immediately; the remaining 25% will be released after reporting is received.