DISASTER RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC As COVID-19 and related closures impact our community, the Community Foundation is responding to the immediate crisis, helping to sustain the operations of nonprofits, and working to ensure our community’s long-term recovery. Our strategy is to provide rapid response grants to partners working to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on our most vulnerable populations and to help sustain nonprofits so they can continue their operations through the crisis. Our grantmaking will adapt to evolving needs, particularly those not being met by existing nonprofit, local, state and federal programs. Philanthropy can be a critical part of ensuring our community’s long-term recovery. We anticipate many needs in our communities as this crisis evolves. We know from past experience that by working together, we can meet these needs, sustain our community through crisis, and chart a path to recovery.

GIVE A GIFT As a donor, here are ways you can help: Make a gift to the COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund, which will make grants to limit the impact of the virus on our community and address the resulting human service needs, particularly focusing on children, older adults, and the homeless population. Thank you to United Way of East Central Iowa and The Hall Perrine Foundation for helping us establish this fund; and to many donors, businesses and organization for your contributions. Make an unrestricted gift to the Community Endowment Fund, which will provide grants to aid nonprofits through this economic crisis, maintaining the safety net for our vulnerable populations. Continue to give to the nonprofits you regularly support. While charitable giving is gravitating to corona-virus-related efforts, donors should continue to follow normal giving patterns to the nonprofits they care about. The nonprofit sector is a critical part of our economy and community vibrancy and many may struggle to maintain operations during this time. To make a gift or give to an existing fund, click here .

HOW WE’RE DISTRIBUTING FUNDING The Community Foundation is working to pool and distribute resources and funds in an effective, efficient and impactful way. This is what we’re doing now:   All nonprofit organizations that received a grant in 2019 have been informed they may use the money where it is most needed. All Funds for the Community grant cycles for 2020 will be adjusted to provide funding that reflects the realities of the pandemic. We plan to maintain three funding cycles for 2020, with the first happening this month. More information about this swift grant application process will be announced soon. The COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund will provide rapid response grants to partners working to minimize the immediate impact of COVID-19 for our community and it will fund human service needs that result from COVID-19 for our most vulnerable populations including children, older adults, and the homeless. Funds will begin to be distributed next week. Currently, grant applications for this fund are not being accepted but may be in the future.

NONPROFIT RESOURCES AND SUPPORT Our Nonprofit Network program is providing an up-to-date online resources and will be offering virtual peer groups for learning, sharing and connecting amongst the sector. More information can be found here .

TO GIVE: Click here TO LEARN ABOUT OUR RESPONSE: Click here FOR NONPROFIT RESOURCES AND SUPPORT: Click here

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