Our Trustees met and approved a first-phase grantmaking response to COVID-19. The Trustees’ first-phase response is centered in the Foundation’s commitment to foster health equity and will provides one-time general operating support to organizations providing critical services and outreach to:
- senior citizens
- non-English speaking populations
- those at risk of intimate partner violence and other forms of physical abuse and those at risk of losing much needed behavioral health services.
It also includes support for our core health safety net partners that are delivering much needed health care.
Collaborative Grantmaking
The response includes the following collaborative grantmaking:
- a $50,000 pledge to the COVID-19 Relief Fund established by Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond. We extend deep respect and gratitude to Community Foundation and to PlanRVA for their critical leadership during this time. [Learn More and Contribute]
- a $50,000 pledge to the Family Crisis Fund launched by Robins Foundation in partnership with Family Independence Initiative. We are encouraged to see bold action and an equity-based response to COVID-19. [Learn More and Contribute]
- $22,000 Arts & Culture Relief Fund contribution to Culture Works.
Impact Investing
- A $50,000 grant to Virginia Community Capital (VCC) to support their Renters’ Relief / Eviction Prevention Program
We recognize that we will need to remain diligent in learning from our partners about evolving needs and intend to be responsive, adaptive and flexible as the longer-term implications of COVID-19 make themselves known. We also stand alongside our philanthropic partners to do all we can to minimize both the short- and long-term impacts of the pandemic, as well as the health disparities that are likely to widen.