Community Foundations Establish Emergency Funds to Support COVID-19 Relief Efforts

Community Foundations across the country have sprung into action amid the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing front-line emergency relief funds to support their respective regions. Here, we highlight two Foundations whose good works Madison helps to support: Greater Cincinnati Foundation and Virginia’s Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties.

In partnership with the United Way of Cincinnati, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation launched the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund in March 2020. Since early May, the fund has supplied over $7 million in grant funding to nonprofits within Greater Cincinnati. The fund also gave grants to several hospitals in the region.

“Together we have made a powerful impact on the well-being of our most vulnerable neighbors, and we will continue to focus on building an equitable community where everyone can thrive,” Ellen Katz, president and CEO of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, said in a statement.

Greater Cincinnati Foundation and United Way and are now pivoting to long-term relief efforts, including raising funds for additional grant programs. For more information, click here.

Also in March 2020, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties established a Community Emergency Relief Fund to address COVID-19 emergency response and relief efforts. Priorities include frontline assistance to households and individuals, particularly for those in marginalized and vulnerable populations, and support for the human services nonprofit sector facing significant losses in income.

The Community Foundation has been working closely with area nonprofits to provide funding to meet both immediate and long-term needs related to the impact of COVID-19 in Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. For example, the Arlington Diocese of Catholic Charities received a $25,000 grant to fund a partnership between Catholic Charities and Loudoun Cares to establish a Helpline that provides rental assistance to Loudoun residents who have lost wages as a result of COVID-19.

Director of Grants and Nonprofit Programs, Nicole Acosta, indicated that the Community Foundation is planning a second round of grants soon that will continue to support nonprofits impacted by COVID-19. Those who wish to support COVID-19 efforts in this area may donate to the Community Emergency Relief Fund at: CommunityFoundationLF.org/EmergencyRelief.