Charitable Effort Aims To Address Regional Impact Of COVID-19 -03/20/20

Community Foundation and partners launch with $3 million for local grants 

Vancouver, Wash., March 20, 2020 — The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington has partnered with a number of local funders to launch the SW Washington COVID Response Fund. Established with a collective investment of more than $3 million, the fund will provide immediate financial support for local nonprofits responding to increased needs as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.   

The fund is open to donations from the public, and Jennifer Rhoads, president of the Community Foundation, said that she knows even more funding is needed. Those interested in contributing or learning more can visit cfsww.org/covid19.  

The initial phase of funding for nonprofits will aim to address increased basic human needs, community service delivery barriers, and health and safety issues surrounding COVID-19. Organizations impacted by these issues include, but are not limited to, hospitals and medical clinics, rental assistance providers, shelters, emergency food networks and childcare programs.  

Grants will also prioritize programs and services designed for individuals and communities who are disproportionately affected by public health emergencies. These include those most at-risk of contracting the virus, but also children and families, residents without health insurance or sick leave, communities of color, those most impacted by lost work and those with limited English language proficiency. 

“We anticipate that a growing number of southwest Washington residents will end up on the verge of crisis,” Rhoads said. “As community needs are increasing, nonprofit capacity is decreasing; especially for organizations that rely heavily on volunteerism or event revenues.” 

List of Funding Partners: Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, Cowlitz Education and Arts Fund, Firstenburg Foundation, Goodwin Family Charitable Fund, Hatton GIBO Charitable Fund, Lematta Family, Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, David and Patricia Nierenberg, Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund, Joe B. Pauletto Charitable Fund, Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health, and other generous contributors. 

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