Community Foundations Nationwide Launch Coronavirus Relief Efforts

Updated December 29

More than 600 U.S. community foundations in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, have created relief funds to support those affected by COVID-19 -- directing critical relief to local nonprofits and partnering with local governments and health organizations to help contain its spread.

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To date, these efforts have already mobilized more than $1.29 billion to help those in need in every corner of the country. Announced grant making to date totals more than $853 million.

The effort began in Seattle -- home to the nation’s first significant outbreak. There, the Seattle Foundation has spearheaded The COVID-19 Response Fund -- an effort that includes an array of partners including United Way of King County, the City of Seattle, and in addition generous support from Philanthropy Northwest, Satterberg Foundation, and Social Venture Partners Seattle. 

To date, the fund has raised more than $28.8 million and provided more than $19.2 million in rapid-response grants to help those in need.

Since then, community foundations have also created funds in support of those affected by COVID-19 in their communities.

A full listing of verified funds, by state, is provided below.

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Deleware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawai'i

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

  • Community Foundation of Jackson Hole established a Emergency Response Fund.

  • Lander Community Foundation launched the CLF COVID-19 Relief Fund.

  • Oregon Trail Community Foundation has established a COVID-19 Food Fund. This effort will initially provide funding to local restaurants that are addressing food insecurity, especially for youth and older adults.

  • Wyoming Community Foundation has established the COVID-19 Fund, which will provide rapid financial support to frontline nonprofits working to offset the impacts of the virus in their communities.

Nationwide

If you represent a community foundation and would like to alert us to a fund that is not listed or update your funding or grantmaking totals, you may do so using our online form.

This article will be updated with information about additional community foundation-led efforts around COVID-19 as they are announced. Latest update: December 29, 2020.

Nicki Faircloth