CLEVELAND, Feb. 9, 2021: The Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid
Response Fund has announced its seventh cycle of biweekly
grants as part of its Phase II efforts to support the Greater
Cleveland nonprofit community during the ongoing pandemic. In
total, $227,500 was awarded to 10 organizations and groups
serving Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties, bringing the
overall amount to nearly $2.6
million since the start of Phase II in mid-November of
2020.
The Fund’s grantmaking priorities will now primarily focus on
basic needs, responding to housing challenges, and PPE
distribution to reduce the spread of the deadly virus.
Applications in the family support priority area for Phase II
will not be considered at this time unless they also fall in one
of the aforementioned focus areas. This
change to the funding priorities will continue until the end of
March of 2021. At that time, the Fund will evaluate community
needs and adjust priorities as
necessary.
The
latest round of grant recipients
includes:
·
Epilepsy Association ($45,000):
To provide tablets to keep vulnerable clients in Cuyahoga County
in touch with case managers and other healthcare professionals in
order to improve client health outcomes by increasing
access to care
·
Feed the Soul ($20,000): To
purchase a new refrigerator and to collaborate with additional
organizations to identify transportation for food delivery to up
to 500 additional individuals with difficulties accessing
services in Cleveland’s near east side neighborhoods
·
Help Foundation, Inc. ($30,000):
To continue to staff the organization’s residential facilities
24 hours a day, while offering virtual adult day support
services for individuals with developmental disabilities in
Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties
·
Koinonia Homes, Inc. ($15,000):
To install touchless bathroom faucets in Cuyahoga County
residences housing multiple clients to help stop the spread of
COVID-19 among individuals with developmental disabilities and
staff members
·
Medina Creative Housing Inc. ($20,000):
To purchase PPE for staff and clients and to provide additional
distance learning and life skills training opportunities to
individuals with developmental disabilities in Cuyahoga County
·
New Agrarian Center ($10,000):
To allow the continued operation of 15 City Fresh markets, 10 of
which are located in Cuyahoga
County census tracts deemed food deserts
·
1,000 Ties ($9,500): To
provide 2,000 hygiene kits to Cleveland Metropolitan School
District students
·
Two Foundation ($30,000): To
continue to provide job training and placement for individuals
with developmental disabilities in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga
counties
·
West Side Catholic Center ($18,000):
To purchase new HVAC systems and air purification systems so
that the organization on Cleveland’s near west side can continue
to provide programming and meal delivery services by keeping
staff and clients safe
The partners have also allocated $30,000 to retain a government
affairs firm on behalf of the Fund that will monitor and pursue
state and federal advocacy opportunities that improve local
COVID-19 recovery efforts.
Contributions to the second phase of the Greater Cleveland
COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund totaled more than $3.5 million.
Funding partners urge other foundations, corporate entities, individuals and
organizations to contribute to the Fund. Donations of any amount
are welcomed, and all contributions are tax deductible.
Based upon the charitable structure of the Rapid Response Fund,
the second phase is currently accepting grant applications from
eligible organizations serving Cuyahoga, Lake, and/or Geauga
counties. The Fund is designed primarily to support human
service nonprofits with operational budgets of less than $20
million.
The Fund partners encourage collaborative proposals that involve
multiple organizations within similar sectors or neighborhoods
working on shared issues.
Grants during Phase II of the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid
Response Fund are awarded every two weeks and will continue for
one year. Awards range in size from $5,000 to $100,000, with a
maximum grant amount of $100,000 for any nonprofit organization
throughout the current cycle ending Oct. 31, 2021. Organizations
that were funded during Phase I (between March-July 2020) are
eligible to apply for additional funding. Grants are limited to
501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, groups fiscally sponsored by
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, or other charitable
organizations able to receive a tax-deductible contribution.
For more information or to donate,
visit ClevelandFoundation.org/Response.
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