United Way Announces $215,000 in COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Phase 3 Grants

The United Way of Monroe County COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund announced Phase 3 grants totaling $215,000 to 20 human service organizations providing critical programs serving people in south central Indiana. With support from the COVID-19 Fund, these organizations will continue to provide life-changing services to members of our community affected by the pandemic. 
 
This follows Phase 1 and Phase 2 grants that awarded a total of $759,425 to 29 human service organizations in Greene, Owen, and Monroe counties in March and May. The COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund has now granted a total of $1,366,429, including funds to regional community foundations, to support priority needs during the pandemic. ​

Phase 3 of the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund continues to support critical safety net needs, while also anticipating the rebuilding of our community and the charting of a course toward a new normal, in which racial and economic disparities are addressed and in which every person has equal access to opportunities. Grants were awarded to nonprofit organizations meeting critical needs and contributing to rebuilding our community following the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on resilience: resilient individuals, resilient communities, and a resilient safety net. 
 
Building resilient individuals focuses on programs and activities which build healthy interpersonal relationships, productive coping mechanisms, and peaceful conflict management so that individuals are better prepared to take advantage of life’s opportunities. Building resilient communities focuses on programs and activities which assure that community members engage strong support networks to more effectively navigate or mitigate hardship. And building a resilient safety net focuses on programs and activities which support individuals’ basic physiological and safety needs. 
 
Phase 3 grant recipients include: 

• Amethyst House - $15,000 
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana - $15,000 
• Bloomington Refugee Support Network - $5,000 
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington - $16,500 
• Catholic Charities Bloomington - $17,000 
• Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County - $2,800 
• Community Justice & Mediation Center - $4,500 
• District 10 Pro Bono Project - $4,000 
• El Centro Comunal Latino - $19,000 
• Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County - $9,300 
• Hoosier Hills Food Bank - $29,800 
• Hoosier Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America - $2,500 
• Indiana Recovery Alliance - $8,000 
• Monroe County United Ministries - $14,000 
• Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, Inc. - $12,500 
• New Hope for Families - $6,600 
• St. Mark’s Nursery School and Kindergarten - $5,000 
• The Salvation Army - $5,000 
• The Society of St. Vincent de Paul serving Monroe County - $10,000 
• Wheeler Mission - $13,500 

 
From financial assistance and food security to legal support and mental health care, the Phase 3 grants will be used to fund priority needs that focus on rebuilding the community. To see a full list of how funds will be used visit monroeunitedway.org/COVIDRelief-Impact. 
 
“Our Vehicle Assistance Program funds were depleted, and we are so grateful that the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Grant will now allow us to continue to finance those repairs that are so urgently needed,” said Society of St. Vincent de Paul Society secretary, Jo Gilbertson. “This program for basic transportation needs, overseen by Ron Kofmehl, enables our clients to be resilient and provides stability as they meet the challenges presented now and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.” 
 
District 10 Pro Bono Project was awarded $4,000 to provide no-cost legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence. Catholic Charities Bloomington received a $17,000 grant to offer mental health care to nonprofit agencies staff at a discounted rate. New Hope for Families will be using $3,000 of their $6,600 grant to initiate a year-long five-step plan to address racial disparities and ensure equitable services.  
 
“Catholic Charities Bloomington has been looking for ways to support our community helpers as they respond to growing mental health needs due to the pandemic,” said Catholic Charities Care and Outreach Coordinator Eszi Waters. “This United Way funding will allow us to offer counseling at a greatly reduced cost for employees of local nonprofits. We believe that investing in nonprofit employees who provide necessary direct services to clients builds Monroe County's resilience and strength from the ground up.” 
 
A committee of cross-sector community partners identified critical needs and resource gaps to guide decisions regarding the COVID-19 Fund. The granting committee includes representatives from the Bloomington Health Foundation, City of Bloomington, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, Monroe County Government, Indiana University, and United Way of Monroe County. 
 
“As local nonprofits continue to respond to the needs emerging from COVID-19, we must also shift our attention to recovery efforts as we move forward,” said United Way of Monroe County Executive Director Efrat Feferman. “Rather than returning to normal, our community should strive toward a better normal by addressing the disparities and inequities highlighted by the pandemic. These investments are an important step in that process.” 
 
The fund received more than $539,303 in Phase 3 grant requests from 29 organizations. 
 
COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund supporters include Bloomington Elks #446, Bloomington Health Foundation, Bloomington Sunrise Rotary, Bloomington Township, Blueline, Boston Scientific, Buskirk-Chumley Theater, City of Bloomington, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, Cook Medical, Duke Energy, Etch Clothing Co., First Financial Bank, First United Church, First United, Methodist Church, Hoosier Energy, Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington, IU Credit Union, IU Credit Union Volunteer Board of Directors, Monroe County Government, Old National Bank, Owen County State Bank, Perry Township, Renaissance Rentals, Smithville Charitable Foundation, Susan Yeley Homes, Tim Ellis Realtors, Truist Foundation, United Way of Monroe County, United Way Worldwide, University Tees, and Van Buren Township. 
 
Organizations serving Brown, Greene, or Owen counties should contact their respective community foundation for information on the application process to receive funds. Links can be found at www.monroeunitedway/COVIDRelief. 
 
Local Resources 
Individuals in need of services including food, shelter, childcare, financial assistance, and more are encouraged to search www.helpingbloomingtonmonroe.org or to call 2-1-1 to connect to the right help. 
 
Community-wide resources and updates are centralized at  
www.monroecountycovid-19.org by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce in partnership with a cross-sector coalition of partners. 
 
Individuals may text COVIDRELIEF2020 to 44-321 or visit www.monroeunitedway.org/COVIDRelief to make a contribution to the Emergency Relief Fund.