Wabash Valley Community Foundation Implements Rapid Response Grants

In response to the unprecedented challenges as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, the Wabash Valley Community Foundation, together with its affiliates Clay County Community Foundation and Sullivan County Community Foundation, has implemented a Rapid Response grant process available to first responders and health care entities on the front lines in Clay, Sullivan and Vigo counties. 

Available in increments of up to $5,000, the Rapid Response grants will provide immediate support to hospitals, federally qualified health centers, city and/or county law enforcement, EMS, county health departments emergency management offices and professional and/or volunteer fire departments to carry out their work for the benefit of our communities. 

When the first COVID-19 positive Vigo County case was reported on March 19, the “Wabash Valley Community Foundation Board determined to provide immediate assistance to entities on the front lines of helping our communities through the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Beth Tevlin, Executive Director of the Wabash Valley Community Foundation. “The Community Foundation has been able to immediately address a wide array of needs arising from the pandemic such as health and human services, emergency equipment and more.”

The Community Foundation has expedited its process to ensure entities have funding in hand within one week of their application, with most receiving funding within 48 hours of their request.

According to Program Director, Kelli Miler, “the Community Foundation has streamlined its process to have grant funds in the hands of the providers as quickly as possible.” 

To date, the Community Foundation has awarded $34,221 in Rapid Response grants to the following entities: 

• Sullivan County Health Department - $5,000 to provide PPE to county ambulance and county fire departments throughout Sullivan County.
• Terre Haute Police Department – $5,000 for PPE for Crime Scene Unit, including full face respirators with replaceable N95/P100 Air filtration cartridges, extended cuff nitrile gloves, Tyvek disposable hazmat suites and disposable shoe covers, masks and face shields.
• Valley Professionals Community Health Center – $5,000 for telemedicine equipment including 11 iPads and an all-in-one PC, rolling cart and backup battery to treat patients without them having to come to the clinic facility.
• Van Buren Volunteer Firemans Association - $5,000 to provide PPE and other cleaning supplies/equipment as needed. 
• Vigo County EMA – $4,461 for PPE N95 masks, surgical masks, face shields, safety glasses, goggles and gowns for infection control.
• Vigo County Sheriff’s Department – $5,000 for PPE for police officers and correctional staff, including N95 Masks, gloves, Tyvek suits and goggles/eye protection.
• Vigo County Health Department - $4,760 to hire a temporary staff person to assist with COVID-19 testing, documentation, education and other administrative roles, contracted for an 8-week period.

Funds will be released on a rolling basis until federal and state funding is able to provide assistance to these first responders throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it possible to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs.
For more information about the Rapid Response Grants, contact the contact the Community Foundation at 812.232.2234 or info@wvcf.org. 

The Wabash Valley Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people in Clay, Sullivan and Vigo counties. The Community Foundation enables people with philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support the organizations and issues they care about – immediately or through their estate plans. Donors may give to existing funds or establish a charitable fund at the Community Foundation by contributing a variety of assets. For more information on the Community Foundation, please contact 812.232.2234 or visit www.wvcf.org.