More than $1.6 million has been awarded to two Toronto organizations working on projects aiming to address impacts and inequities resulting from COVID-19.

The 2020 TD Ready Challenge is awarding a total of $10 million to 15 North American organizations working on these projects.

In Toronto, they are Women’s College Hospital Foundation and the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals.

Women’s College Hospital Foundation is working to close the “digital divide” for those who were unable to access healthcare during the first wave of the pandemic due to socio-economic exclusion. The organization is receiving $1 million.

“TD’s grant will help expand and scale medical care to ensure all vulnerable populations receive the best possible care, and nobody is left behind due to circumstances behind their control,” a news release reads.

The CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals lays the foundation for a resilient Black Canadian community ecosystem to build the adaptive capacity, system leadership and collective infrastructure of Black-focused, Black-led and Black-serving groups and organizations to recover, heal and be resilient. The organization is receiving $650,000.

“The TD Ready Challenge is our way to identify and support new ideas and solutions that can be key to helping communities emerge resilient, inclusive, vibrant and ready for the continually changing future,” said Andrea Barrack, global head of sustainability and corporate citizenship at TD Bank Group. “I want to thank all the participants of this year’s challenge and look forward to hearing about the positive impact our 15 successful grant recipients will have as they address these issues.”

News Credit: Toronto.com