Community Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) Announces $50,500 in Financial Support to Nonprofits serving our most vulnerable populations
March 31, 2020 – CERF announces $50,500 in grants to nonprofits on the frontlines serving our most vulnerable populations.
Regarding response, our goal is to manage the consequences of the virus and measures taken to slow its spread. This includes efforts such as providing food, shelter, rent and mortgage assistance, utilities and behavioral health.
The following Southwest Colorado organizations will receive CERF grants in Phase 1 of funding:
Dolores County:
· R.O.C.K. Reaching Out to Community and Kids
Montezuma County:
· Sharehouse/Good Samaritan Food
Pantry
· Mancos FoodShare
· The Piñon Project (manages MEAC)
· The Bridge Shelter
San Juan County
San Juan Development Association
Archuleta County:
· Pagosa Outreach Connection
· Food Equity Coalition
La Plata:
· Community Emergency Assistance Coalition, CEAC
· La Plata Family Centers Coalition
· Manna
· Durango Food Bank
“The COVID-19 coronavirus is taking its toll on every individual and organization in Southwest Colorado, including our community’s nonprofits,” said Lynn Urban, President & CEO, United Way of Southwest Colorado. “To help respond to this unprecedented challenge, CERF is providing funding to key nonprofit organizations that are working with people disproportionately affected by the consequences of COVID-19.”
Regarding prevention, we are updating the SWCODA.org site to provide accurate and up-to-date information about and resources and strategies to prevent the spread of the virus. We are working with local governments about how we can ensure there is proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for our healthcare professionals.
We expect that prevention and response measures will continue for some time, and the nature of each could change over time as the crisis develops.
Regarding Recovery, CERF is taking steps to empower nonprofits to be ready for recovery. We are gathering the best resources to assist organizations in maintaining and rebuilding financial stability, finding and obtaining grants and loans available to nonprofits, and understanding available options to manage human resources to best support employees through the crisis. We are working with local experts to create educational videos and other resources.
As of March 31, CERF has raised $138,000 from local businesses and individuals. We are raising funds and serving all nonprofits in all 5 counties in southwest Colorado. CERF is working with other state and local funders to ensure our investment is strategic and supporting the nonprofit sector effectively.
Phase 2 of the CERF Covid-19 funding will have a simple, yet thoughtful, online grant application. Nonprofits should follow the Community Foundation's Facebook page @communityfoundationservingsouthwestcolorado and the United Way's Facebook page @UnitedWayOfSouthwestColorado to be apprised of Phase 2 grant application details coming soon. We anticipate this grant application to be open for a short time so we can respond quickly. The next round of funding is anticipated to be distributed by April 30.
To donate to the Community Emergency Relief Fund visit www.coloradogives.org/cerf or send a check payable to the Community Foundation with CERF in the memo line to P.O. Box 1673, Durango, CO 81302. Alternatively, you can also text “credit’ to 40403 to pay with your phone.
Grants will be distributed to nonprofit organizations throughout SW Colorado through the course of the crisis. We are cognizant that funding will be needed during all three phases of this crisis: prevention, response and recovery.
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About the Community Foundation serving SW Colorado: We envision a generous, vibrant and inclusive SW Colorado, with opportunities for all to thrive. The Foundation manages more than $6 million in investments for philanthropists in our community, offering invaluable resources to ensure that donors can be impactful with their giving, making a difference in the lives of others.
About the United Way of SW Colorado: We envision a community where all individuals and families achieve their human potential. We improve lives by nurturing the collective caring of our community. Through our partnerships, we help approximately 21,000 people annually in Southwest Colorado to live better lives.
