our commitment to the community
Our Commitment to the Community in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic
In this unprecedented time, communication with and support for our many partners is essential. The following information outlines The Community Foundation’s current response to COVID-19.
The Community Relief Fund
The Community Relief Fund was established in October 2019 to prepare for any possible future disaster threat to our community. When the significant impact of the worldwide coronavirus crisis in our community became clear, especially for vulnerable people, the Board of Governors directed foundation staff to activate the Community Relief Fund, secure funding and assess needs in our community.
Our goal is to work collaboratively with the nonprofit, government, philanthropic and private sectors to accelerate recovery for a thriving, resilient and even stronger Rappahannock River region. We will support organizations that are addressing immediate needs, longer-term effects of the pandemic, and community recovery.
The Community Foundation’s Board of Governors seeded the Community Relief Fund with $50,000 from the foundation’s board-directed, unrestricted Community Fund. An anonymous donor has already generously contributed an additional $5,000. As of June 30, 2020 a total of $566,614 has been donated to local nonprofits through this fund!
The Community Foundation is actively seeking additional donations to support this effort across the community. Click here to donate now.
The Community Foundation is uniquely positioned to lead community philanthropy to help area nonprofits meet the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more than 20 years, the foundation has built a long-term network of donors and nonprofits. The Community Foundation is a 501 c 3 nonprofit. All gifts to The Community Relief fund are fully deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Community Foundation waives its standard 1% administration fee on charitable fund gifts through June 30, 2020.
Together, We Can Help
This is a critical time for nonprofit organizations and the people and missions they serve. Please continue to give to organizations you regularly support, and those that need your help as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Community Relief Fund is a powerful way our support our community’s collective effort to move forward in the face of the COVID pandemic crisis in our community.
The Community Relief Fund concluded its 12th and final round of rapid-response Immediate Relief grants to area nonprofits in June 2020. Our local nonprofits are demonstrating incredible resilience, ingenuity and tenacity and its an honor to play a part in implementing local solutions.
The Community Foundation understands that the effects of the pandemic are far-reaching; that recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. The Community Relief Fund next steps include consulting with our nonprofit partners about the evolving needs in our community and identifying the most efficient and effective for continued support.
We urge the community to include the Community Relief Fund and essential regional nonprofits in your crisis response giving. Click here to donate now.
Foundation Fund Donors
To make a gift from a donor advised fund at The Community Foundation, visit your DonorCentral account, or email Casey Hu, Director of Donor Services at casey.hu@cfrrr.org.
We are Assessing Regional Needs
Many regional nonprofit organizations are responding to this evolving crisis. Increased demand for existing and new services will require significant financial support. Addressing these unanticipated needs in a time of crisis will require adaptation and flexibility. The Community Foundation is actively gathering information about how we can effectively provide immediate support. We further understand the implications of the current pandemic will be long lasting and recovery for many will be a difficult process.
We ask regional nonprofit organizations to share their primary areas of concern related to the COVID-19 pandemic by completing our Community Needs Assessment. Grantmaking priorities will be determined by your responses to this needs assessment survey.
We are Engaged in Collective Efforts
Foundation leadership is staying closely connected to emerging efforts to support and protect our community. We are actively exploring ways that collaborative philanthropy can direct resources to the greatest need and most vulnerable people.
Our Commitment is Unchanged
While The Community Foundation’s finances have undoubtedly changed significantly since the Coronavirus pandemic began, we are committed to sustaining a high level of grant support in 2020.
We are Committed to Taking Care of Each Other
The Community Foundation embraces our shared responsibility and aims to demonstrate the best of ourselves, through our collective work.
From all of us at The Community Foundation, thank you for your unwavering commitment to our community.
Please stay safe and healthy.