Community Foundation opens third round of COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants

Thanks to the generosity of the Lilly Endowment through the United Way’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund and Community Foundation donors that want to support Monroe County nonprofits during the pandemic, we are pleased to share we have funding for a third round of Rapid Response Grants. Grant amounts will range from $250 to $2,500. Nonprofits serving Monroe County are encouraged to apply by Thursday, May 14. Full details available at: https://www.cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-grant/covid-19-rapid-response-grants/
 
A total of 32 COVID-19 Rapid Response grants was awarded through the first two rounds of funding. To see the list of grant awards, go to https://www.cfbmc.org/rrgranttotal/.

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Funding Areas and Eligibility
Grant amounts ranging from $250 to $2,500 will be awarded through a streamlined application process that will allow the Foundation to evaluate and award grants quickly.
 
Organizations are eligible to apply for a rapid response grant regardless of whether they were awarded a grant in a previous Rapid Response Grant round. If you submitted an application in a previous round that was not funded and would like to apply again, you will need to submit a new application.
 
Rapid Response grants are intended to support Monroe County 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in addressing any of the following areas:
 

• Adjusting to alternative work and program delivery strategies resulting from the pandemic. This might include technology, equipment, supplies such as Personal Protective Equipment, or consulting services.
• Scaling up operational capacity to deliver programs and services
• Costs, which may include staffing, related to program delivery or program adjustments

 
How to Apply
Grant requests for Round III are due by noon on Thursday, May 14th. Grants recipients will be announced on Friday, May 15th. Organizations should apply by sending an email to Program Director Marcus Whited at marcus@cfbmc.org and President and CEO Tina Peterson at tinapeterson@cfbmc.org. You should also copy your board chair. Please use the subject line “RAPID RESPONSE grant application” and address the following questions in the email:
 

1. How will a Rapid Response Grant allow your organization to address a need triggered by COVID-19? Please specify the amount requested and specifically how the grant funds would be used. A brief grant budget listing should be included if grant dollars would be used for multiple purposes.
2. What result do you expect to achieve with Rapid Response grant funding? How will it make a difference for your organization and, ultimately, the population that you serve?
3. How should we contact you about this grant?  Please provide a cell phone number for the person who can answer questions about the grant request or payment details. 
4. Beyond what is addressed by this grant, what is your organization’s greatest overall challenge currently as a result of the COVID pandemic?

 
Questions? Please contact Marcus Whited at marcus@cfbmc.org or Meagan Niese at meaganniese@cfbmc.org.
 
Equal Opportunity in Grantmaking
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity (as defined in paragraph 249(c)(4) of title 18, United States Code), sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, physical or mental ability, or any other improper criterion be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available by the Community Foundation, and any other program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds appropriated for grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance administered by the Community Foundation.