Exploring Community-Based Participatory Research Approaches with Low-Income Communities

Abstract

Universities often collaborate with neighbouring communities, particularly those in low-income or high crime rate areas, to offer donations, provide support, and sponsor events. However, universities are not always aware of how their donations are spent or if they have helped to achieve community project goals. The York University Faculty Association (Toronto, Canada) has a Community Projects committee (YUFA-CP) that provides up to $1500 to local organizations for community outreach, advocacy development, or initiatives to improve access to higher education. Any community organization in the local Jane-Finch community can apply to receive this funding. This study seeks to identify the community projects funded by YUFA-CP in 2010­–2017, identify who received funding, how funds were expended, and whether funding met committee goals, especially with respect to community engagement and improved access to higher education. Selected community agencies were surveyed about funding received and events sponsored. Survey results suggest that events to improve access to higher education for under-represented groups was funded least. The study concludes with recommendations to better align funding with YUFA-CP mandates.