Community Foundation establishes $1 million matching grant to fight COVID-19

MONDAY, March 30 — The Capital Region Community Foundation announced tonight it will use $1 million to match new donations to human services agencies to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

“While the Capital Area United Way focuses on meeting the urgent needs of individuals directly due to COVID-19, the Community Foundation will focus on meeting the needs of our nonprofit partners as we work together in this crisis,” said Dennis Fliehman, foundation president and CEO.

The money will be aimed at infrastructure needs, such as staffing and technology, a news release said.

Here is the news release in full:

“The Capital Region Community Foundation has announced it will dedicate $1 million to human services agencies stressed due to COVID-19, helping to meet infrastructure needs such as staffing and technology. The Community Foundation will use its $1 million to match new donations for these efforts, leveraging even more resources to help human services agencies throughout Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties.

“To support individuals in crisis, people can donate to the Capital Area United Way’s Emergency Relief Fund.  To support human services nonprofits, people can donate to the  COVID-19 NONPROFIT SUPPORT, which will match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $1 million.

‘“We have a great working relationship with the United Way,’ said Laurie Baumer, executive vice president of the Community Foundation. ‘The Community Foundation wants to fill gaps rather than duplicate the United Way’s efforts.”’

The Community Foundation will be extending invitations to human services agencies to apply for a grant. Qualified agencies will be those that provide food, shelter, medical and mental health care, and support for the homeless. The Community Foundation will deploy multiple waves of grants based on the timing of agency needs.

‘“We hope to make our first wave of grants within two weeks,’ Baumer said. ‘But many agencies don’t know what they need yet, so we want to be responsive to them over the long haul.”’  

“For more information about donations and grants, email info@ourcommunity.org.”