Community Foundation of Elkhart County and United Way collaborate to create COVID-19 Community Response Fund
ELKHART, INDIANA, March 2019, 2020 —United Way and the Community Foundation of Elkhart County are collaborating on a new fundhave agreed to establish a new joint fund in response to the developing emergency situation . The two organizations came together Thursday to create the COVID-19 Community Response Fund to support local nonprofits and families. The Community Foundation and United Way will work together to orchestrate a community-wide response to the potential extraordinary health and economic crises that are expected to impactaffecting Elkhart County because of the viral pandemic. imminently.
The fund was seeded with money from both the Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund and United Way’s Emergency Response Funds and has already begun to receive generous individual and corporate support. The two organizations are seeking grants and corporate donations and are encouraging individuals encouraging individual and corporation donationsto donate to the fund via either organization’s websites or checks delivered to either organization.
The Community Foundation and United Way are working with local leaders to identify the most pressing challenges facing Elkhart County residents and to mobilize and coordinate services within those focus areas. Areas identified so far Currently identified focuses are childcare for healthcare workers and first responders, supports for those most at-risk, food security, support for those most at-risk and community advocacy. The response will evolve to respond to needs.
Keith Sarber, VP of Community Impact at United Way, said, “We are prioritizing two things: the health and well-being of the families in our community and constructively supporting our local organizations as they work to mitigate, contain, and serve those in need. Many of our families will struggle with accurate information, testing, childcare, food, utilities, rent and mortgage.”
Candy Yoder, Chief Program Officer for the Community Foundation, added, “Our community has faced crises before and as we face this one. Joining together with United Way to respond to this one will help us more efficiently and effectively identify and meet needs to best serve our community.”
To donate to the fund or to learn more, please visit unitedwayec.org/covid-19 or inspiringgood.org/covid-19. Elkhart County nonprofits that are serving those affected by this emergency are encouraged to apply for funding.
United Way of Elkhart County
This fund was established to further the charitable purposes of the United Way.
To learn more about United Way of Elkhart County, visit their website.
You'll Also Love
With Wisdom and Goodness: Kevin Deary Takes on New Role with Community Foundation to Build Stronger Nonprofits