The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region opened an online grant portal on October 30 for Phase II of its coronavirus pandemic recovery-related funding through the Community Relief Fund.
The Community Relief Fund Phase II Funding Focus: Community Recovery
The Community Relief Fund Phase II is a single granting round offering funding support to meet the operational or program needs of nonprofit organizations serving Caroline, Fredericksburg, King George, Spotsylvania or Stafford.
The foundation’s goal through this phase is to support community organizations impacted by COVID-19, especially as they support vulnerable communities and communities who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Community Recovery grants will be one-time awards of up to $10,000. Applicants have the opportunity to select one of two funding tracks depending on the organization’s needs.
Track 1. Operational Support for Organizations
The Community Foundation’s community needs assessment done in spring 2020 indicates that most organizations:
- Have had to significantly modify services and operations to meet community needs during the pandemic.
- Are facing large and unexpected financial challenges due to COVID-19.
Track 1 grants will provide operational support to help nonprofits bridge the crisis, maintain organizational health and continue providing vital community services.
Track 2. Programs and Services to Meet Critical Needs
As the pandemic continues to impact our community, nonprofit organizations are affected in a variety of ways. They are meeting increased needs, responding to higher demands in services, and adapting programs to more effectively respond to evolving needs.
“Nonprofits are working tirelessly to provide critical services and support in our community – but they need our help. COVID-19 has impacted everyone in our community, especially our nonprofits and the clients they serve. They continue to grapple with the short and long-term impacts of the pandemic, said Ali Thomas, Program Manager. “Local nonprofits need flexible financial resources right now as they stabilize, recover and continue to provide critical services that our residents depend on.”
Grant applications must be submitted online before 5:00 PM on Monday, December 7th. Nonprofits can access the online application from The Community Foundation’s website: https://www.cfrrr.org/grant-guidelines-the-community-relief-fund
Phase I: Immediate Relief Grants
Thanks to generous gifts from individuals, families and businesses in our region, The Community Relief Fund awarded weekly grants for immediate pandemic relief projects through June 30, 2020 totaling $448,375! These grants ensured rapid funding for organizations on the frontlines meeting basic needs for those affected by the pandemic. This critical funding is helping enable nonprofits to maintain operations and support the increased demand for services. A complete listing of grant awards made through Phase I is available here: https://www.cfrrr.org/coronavirus-response-grants
“When our nonprofits are hurting, our community suffers. Our job is to support the health of area nonprofits – and therefore, strengthen our community as a whole. It’s vital to the recovery of our region that we work together to keep our community strong, said Casey Hu, Director of Donor Services. “One of the Community Foundation’s strengths is its ability and flexibility to determine unmet needs and respond quickly leveraging the power of community. Our needs assessment report, A Snapshot of Critical Needs, shows that our community-based organizations are deeply impacted financially, and are now struggling to remain resilient.”
The Community Relief Fund
Community foundations can play an important leadership role any time a sudden, calamitous event seriously disrupts a community. The Community Relief Fund was established in October 2019 to prepare for any possible future disaster threat to our community. Learn more about the fund and how it has been activated to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic on the foundations website: https://www.cfrrr.org/the-community-relief-fund
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 https://www.cfrrr.org/donations/the-community-relief-fund
Or mail a check to The Community Foundation, the Community Relief Fund at PO BOX 208, Fredericksburg, VA 22404.
The Community Foundation’s capacity to give is directly proportional to our community’s generous gifts to the Community Relief Fund. Please consider supporting pandemic relief in our community today.
Contact us with any questions.
Visit www.cfrrr.org/covid-19-response or contact foundation staff at [email protected] for more information.
