By Danielle Nyland
The closures and limitations brought on by COVID-19 haven’t just affected small businesses and employees facing lay offs – they’ve deeply impacted the many nonprofits that work within our community. These nonprofits, often working behind the scenes, are an important part of keeping the most vulnerable in our community healthy, happy, and safe – especially during times of crisis.
In response to the closures, the Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC) and United Way have partnered together and created the Greene County Emergency Response Fund “to address local needs resulting from emergency and disaster situations in Greene County.”
“This is a community effort,” shares Bettie Stammerjohn, executive director of the CFGC. “The Community Foundation of Greene County is receiving the donations from individuals and businesses in the community and region. And we are receiving the requests for grants from local nonprofits serving our community. The committee reviewing the requests is comprised of community members representing CFGC, Greene County United Way, the County of Greene and other funders. Collectively we have a broader understanding of the needs in our area and how our nonprofits work.”
These quick, flexible grants are providing resources to our area’s nonprofit organizations that are working with people and organizations impacted by emergencies and disasters, such as COVID-19. The funds will ensure that the basic needs of those in the community are met by providing health, human services, social services, emergency services, education and community development activities. Funds received from a grant reward can be used by the organization to provide services, as well as direct relief of individuals and families.
“In these uncertain times, we are joining together as a community to support our front line organizations,” says MaChal Forbes, United Way executive director. “With business closures and social distancing, local agencies are facing immediate losses in funding while dealing with an increase of critical requests and limited supplies. The most important thing we can do is act quickly to provide them the resources they need.”
To apply for the grant, organizations need to complete a short grant application designed to provide a quick grant response. Applications submitted by Monday at 4pm are reviewed on Thursday, with notification on Friday. The responsiveness of the program helps meet urgent needs resulting from an emergency situation. The application, as well as guide, are available on the CFGC’s website. The fund will not reward grants to individuals or businesses.
One of the nonprofits that received funding was the Corner Cupboard Food Bank. Executive director Candace Tustin says, “Corner Cupboard Food Bank is grateful to have been chosen as a recipient of the Community Foundation of Greene County & United Way’s Emergency Response Grant. We are appreciative for all that the Community Foundation and United Way do to help in our community and to the donors who made this fund possible. The funding awarded will assist us with day to day operations and allow us to continue our ministry, providing food security to the residents of Greene County.”
As of May 4, the fund has received over $128,500 in donations from community members, businesses, and foundations, including $10,000 from Equitrans Midstream Foundation, $5,000 from Equitrans Midstream Corp. and $25,000 from DTE Foundation. The Response Fund has awarded nearly half of that – $57,047 – in grant monies to local nonprofit organizations.
If you would like to donate a gift to support the Greene County Emergency Response Fund, visit the CFGC’s site at www.cfgcpa.org/emergency-response-grants/. Gifts can also be sent by mail to CFGC, PO Box 768, Waynesburg, PA 15370 (checks payable to Community Foundation of Greene County, memo ‘Emergency Response Fund’). The foundation is waiving management fees for all contributions to the fund. While the initial funds will be used to address needs created by COVID-19, remaining funds will be used to address future emergency and disaster needs in Greene County.
