March 18, 2020 – The Central New York Community Foundation announced today that it has established a COVID-19 Community Support Fund in partnership with the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, Allyn Foundation and United Way of Central New York to support nonprofit organizations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
March 26th update: Since the initial announcement $1 million dollars has been raised for this initiative. There will be an announcement soon, regarding the recipient of the first grant.
The fund is designed to rapidly deploy flexible resources in the form of one-time operating grants on a rolling basis to nonprofits whose operations support vulnerable populations stressed by the outbreak. The Community Foundation will seed the fund with a contribution from its own funds and encourages individuals, institutions, companies and other funders to donate as well.
The Community Foundation will administer grants from the fund in partnership with United Way of Central New York, the Allyn Foundation and in close collaboration with the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County. Together they will identify potential grant recipients, solicit guidance on immediate needs from community advisors and recommend final awards. Funds will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs.
“The coronavirus pandemic is still likely in its early stages in our region, and the necessary efforts to prevent the spread of the virus poses a significant threat to the economic stability of many local residents who already face challenges, including being away from work, securing healthy food and childcare, and access to reliable information.” said Peter Dunn, president and CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation. “We are coming together to create this fund to support local nonprofit organizations on the front lines serving our most vulnerable neighbors who are bearing the direct economic consequences of the virus.”
“Every day we focus on serving our local community,” said , president of the United Way of Central New York. “Through the Community Support Fund, we are unifying our efforts with other funders in order to monitor and respond to this rapidly changing COVID-19 situation. Members of the community who want to assist can maximize their impact by contributing to this coordinated fund. Working together, during this time of unprecedented need, is essential.”
County Executive McMahon said, “Our community has come together in a truly remarkable way during this crisis. This especially includes our not-for-profit partners and the private sector. I want to thank the Community Foundation, Allyn Foundation, and the United Way for their leadership in establishing this fund as well as all of our other partners.” McMahon continued, “Let’s remember to check on our loved ones, neighbors and friends during this time and I am confident our community will emerge stronger than ever when this is over.”
Donations may be made online at cnycf.org/covid19 or by contacting Thomas Griffith, vice president, development at (315) 422-9538 or tgriffith@cnycf.org.
Eligibility criteria and the application process for nonprofits requesting funding are still under development. Organizations can visit cnycf.org/covid19grants for more information.
