Community Foundations Ramp Up Covid-19 Response, Mobilizing $353M to Those in Need

More than $54.8M Already at Work in Communities Across the U.S., Providing Food, Housing Assistance and Critical Support

Nearly 250 community foundations in all 50 states have collectively mobilized more than $353 million to provide critical support to those affected by Covid-19, according to new data from the Community Foundation Public Awareness Initiative.

In many communities, some of that money is already helping provide food, shelter, and other urgent needs. To date, community foundations have publicly announced more than $54.8 million in grants to local nonprofits. Many others are expecting to allocate their first round of grants within the next week.

These efforts include:

• In Seattle, the Seattle Foundation granted more than $10 million as part of an initial wave of funding to provide rent support, food security, healthcare, and childcare in its most disproportionately impacted communities.
• In Charlotte, Foundation for the Carolinas , working closely with the United Way of Central Carolinas, has provided nearly $3 million to 14 nonprofits – the first in a series of investments from a relief fund that has already mobilized more than $11 million.
• In New York, which has become the epicenter of the crisis, The New York Community Trust is working with a coalition of foundation partners to vet and grant the more than $78 million that has already been mobilized. The Trust has started making weekly grants from the fund and will continue to do so over the coming weeks and months as needs evolve.
• In San Diego, The San Diego Foundation is making rapid-response grants to help address food security, other essential living expenses, emergent needs, and rent and utility payment support. In March, the foundation awarded its first round of grants totaling $1.15 million and has mobilized more than $6.5 million in funding that will be allocated on a rolling basis.

“As the COVID-19 crisis continues to expand, so do the needs of our communities,” said Mark Stuart, President & CEO of The San Diego Foundation. “In times of great emergency, community foundations are uniquely positioned to put their philanthropic leadership and deep, cross-sector relationships to work for all who are affected.

“In San Diego, we are witnessing unprecedented generosity and are mobilizing our networks to deliver much-needed support to our low-income families, seniors, children, first responders and other impacted communities in the region,” Stuart added. 

Community foundations are grantmaking public charities that mobilize the assets of past and current donors to improve the lives of people in a defined geographic area. They bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support effective nonprofits in their communities.

The U.S. is home to roughly 800 community foundations, representing communities of all sizes, from statewide foundations to rural counties and small towns. Each community  foundation is independent, has its own community-based mission, involves community members in its grantmaking decisions, and uses a variety of philanthropic instruments –including endowments, donor-advised funds, giving circles, and other gifts – to support its grantmaking and community leadership activities.

Community foundations have a long history of supporting their communities during times of crisis and disaster -- connecting those who want to help with nonprofits that offer critical services. The initial response to Covid-19, however, is unprecedented in its size and scope -- and community foundations are rising to the challenge.

In addition to funds raised specifically to address Covid-19, many community foundations are working to help nonprofits repurpose existing grants and are accelerating payments to help these organizations weather the unexpected financial challenges they are facing.

The Community Foundation of Broward, in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., for example, has removed all restrictions from previously awarded grants to help nonprofits serve more clients impacted by coronavirus and freed up more than $1 million to provide grants for short- and long-term recovery efforts.

“Overnight, we developed new strategies, tools, and processes that allowed us to be proactive and responsive to this unprecedented crisis,” said Linda Carter, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Broward. “Endowed resources enable us to quickly adapt to pressing needs and offer flexibility to nonprofits to enable them to do even more to help our struggling community.”

A full listing of verified community foundation Covid-19 response efforts -- and updated figures on mobilized funds -- can be found on the Community Foundation Public Awareness Initiative’s website.

Reporters seeking interviews with community foundation leaders, grantees, anddonors, can contact Peter Panepento at (202) 531-3886 or peter@turn-two.co.

About the Community Foundation Public Awareness Initiative
The Community Foundation Public Awareness Initiative includes more than 120 community foundations in 47 states working together to educate the public about how we’re improving communities. Learn more: https://www.commfoundations.com/