The Community Foundation awarded $45,000 in immediate relief grants to nonprofits providing COVID-19 response solutions in our community. New grants will be announced weekly. Here’s the complete list
Community Ministry Center of Fredericksburg
Emergency Food Distribution
$1,500
Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank
Emergency Food Distribution
$12,000
Rappahannock Area YMCA
Childcarefor Essential Workers
$5,000
Rappahannock United Way
Emergency Financial Assistance
$7,500
SPCA of Fredericksburg
Pet Quarantine for COVID-Affected Families
$1,500
Stafford Food Security, Inc.
Emergency Food Distribution
$5,000
The Salvation Army of Fredericksburg VA
Food and Emergency Financial Assistance
$5,000
Virginia Community Food Connections
Adapt SNAP Food Assitance Previously at Farmers Markets
The majority of nonprofits that submitted applications in the first week of the grant program asked to purchase more emergency food to distribute to regional families. Organizations shared that the number of meals they distribute has grown dramatically.
Stafford Food Security provides backpack meals to schools to distribute to families in need. They are now delivering groceries directly to homes and the number of families they serve is increasing. Community Ministry Center has seen a decrease in donations of food from businesses. They attribute the decline to the economic impacts of the coronavirus. Virginia Community Food Connections facilitates the distribution of $92,000 in federal SNAP nutrition support that is intended to help low-income shoppers buy fresh food from area farmers. With farmers markets closed, they requested support to distribute food in new ways and leverage SNAP funding. Together, grants to support food access comprised $29,500 of the initial grants made.
“It’s wonderful to make these grants,” said Casey Hu, Director of Donor Services, “but the need is great.” The foundation funded 8 of the proposals received in the first week the application was open. “We know from calls we’re getting that these are just the first of many requests. The Community Foundation is committed to making grants through the Community Relief Fund to help people in need as long as our community keeps coming forward to give.”
In addition to food, area families need assistance with rent or mortgages, utilities, childcare costs and essential transportation. A grant to Rappahannock United Way directly supports ALICE, a term for people who are asset-limited, income constrained and employed (or recently unemployed). The Salvation Army has expanded their assistance availability from 1 to 5 days per week. Their grant supports food and other emergency assistance for local families.
In partnership with another gift from corporate donor sPower, a Community Relief Fund grant will support Ron Rosner Family YMCA’s Childcare Relief for Essential Workers program. YMCA locations in the area are currently closed, but their facilities and expertise will become a valuable childcare resource for the families of workers at Mary Washington Healthcare, Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center and any other area first responders.
One grant was made to Fredericksburg SPCA’s Safe Haven initiative. It provides temporary housing for community pest when people are not able to care for them due to health, domestic or economic challenges. The CDC requires that COVID-19-exposed pets quarantine for 14 days in the SPCA facility, rather than in animal foster care.
The Community Foundation activated its disaster response fund, the Community Relief Fund, in March when the probable impact of the coronavirus pandemic in our region became clear. The foundation is actively encouraging individuals, families and businesses to give to the Community Relief Fund. This money will be distributed to nonprofit organizations with deep roots in the community that provide human services and emergency assistance like food, shelter, transportation and emergency financial support, as well as health/mental health and educational resources.
Nonprofits can access the online application from The Community Foundation’s website: https://www.cfrrr.org/nonprofit-grant-application/
Complete grant guidelines are available on the website as well: https://www.cfrrr.org/grant-guidelines-the-community-relief-fund/
Learn more about the Community Relief Fund and how it has been activated to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic on The Community Foundation’s website: https://www.cfrrr.org/the-community-relief-fund/
Through the generous support of The Community Foundation’s Board of Governors, all Community Relief Fund administrative costs have been waived through June 30, 2020. This ensures that 100 percent of funds are distributed to community-based organizations in need.
The Community Foundation urges everyone to include regional nonprofits in your crisis response giving by making a donation to the Community Relief Fund or by giving to them directly.
Make a gift online at cfrrr.org.
Or mail a check to The Community Foundation/Community Relief Fund at P.O. Box 208, Fredericksburg, VA 22404.
Contact us with any questions.
Visit www.cfrrr.org/covid-19-response or contact foundation staff at [email protected] for more information.
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About The Community Foundation
For more than 20 years, people who give through The Community Foundation have made a significant positive impact by establishing over 170 funds that collectively give over $1.5 million each year to local nonprofits, churches and schools.
The Community Foundation promotes greater philanthropy by addressing the challenges faced by donors in a responsible and knowledgeable manner. We distinguish ourselves from other local charities by providing efficient and effective services to build a collection of permanent funds.
The Community Foundation offers a spectrum of services for individuals, organizations and businesses that are eager to achieve great results with their charitable actions.
