Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund awards more than $625,000 in third cycle of Phase II grantmaking

Partners have granted in excess of $10 million since Fund inception in March

Release Date: 12.8.2020

CLEVELAND – The Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund announced today its third cycle of biweekly grants as part of its Phase II efforts to support the Greater Cleveland nonprofit community during the ongoing pandemic. In total, $625,684 was awarded to 14 organizations and groups serving Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties, bringing the overall amount to more than $1.5 million in Phase II. This latest cycle represents a milestone of support; since the Fund’s creation in March, the community has now provided more than $10 million to frontline organizations during this unprecedented public health crisis.

Grant recipients for this cycle include:

  • Better Health Partnership ($35,000): To support staffing needs for the region’s Federally Qualified Health Centers Collaboration, enabling them to develop and implement COVID-19 testing strategies to bolster testing in locations where risk of infection is high
  • Community Service Alliance ($40,050): To continue to provide safe and supportive housing, job assistance, and life skills training at four locations on Cleveland’s near west side for men transitioning to independence and self-sufficiency from poverty, homelessness and addiction
  • Greater Cleveland Congregations ($50,000): To continue to work in conjunction with UnitedHealthcare to bring COVID-19 testing sites for four weeks to the Slavic Village, Lee-Harvard and Glenville neighborhoods, while also developing a process to follow up with people who test positive for COVID-19 at these testing sites to ensure they can isolate safely without transmitting the virus to others
  • LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County ($48,654): To continue to provide food assistance and expanded virtual options for community group social-emotional support meetings and wellness programming in Lake County
  • Lake County Free Clinic ($15,000): To expand case management services and provide COVID-19 safety kits, while continuing to provide essential medical care to uninsured and under-insured individuals in eastern Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties
  • Lakewood Community Services Center ($50,000): For additional staffing needed to continue its zero-contact food delivery and distribution system for individuals and families in Lakewood, Rocky River and Westlake who are facing food insecurity
  • Little Africa Food Cooperative ($60,000): To continue to deliver the needed equipment, supplies, information and food to seniors, mentally and physically disabled residents and homeless populations on Cleveland’s near east side
  • Neighborhood Connections ($120,000): To continue to provide grants ranging from $500-$5,000 to small nonprofit organizations, faith-based congregations, and grassroots and neighborhood civic groups throughout Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties for a broad range of essential human needs during COVID-19, such as healthy food, safe shelter, and to reduce social isolation. Since receiving its first round of funding on April 10, Neighborhood Connections has awarded nearly $680,000 to more than 200 groups and organizations.
  • Relink.org ($35,000): To conduct outreach events in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties in order to connect individuals struggling with opioid addiction to resources and services
  • Paul’s Community Outreach ($20,000): To continue to provide rent and utility assistance, while also distributing PPE and household cleaning items for at-risk and low-income residents in the Ohio City and Detroit Shoreway neighborhoods on Cleveland’s near west side
  • Spanish American Committee ($18,500): To give food, utility and rental assistance stipends to low-income and elderly Latino populations in Greater Cleveland, while also providing clients with emotional and mental health resources and crisis financial planning assistance
  • West Park United Church of Christ ($36,000): To continue to support the organization’s food pantry and delivery programs for vulnerable populations in Cleveland’s West Park, Kamm’s Corners and Puritas-Longmead neighborhoods
  • Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio (UHCAN) ($15,480): To work with community members to identify the needs and challenges related to testing, treatment and vaccination, and to advocate for better care for low income populations in Cuyahoga County
  • YWCA Greater Cleveland ($82,000): To continue to provide basic needs, food security, and on-site and remote case management at Permanent Supportive Housing for formerly homeless and low-income women at two locations in Cleveland

Contributions to the second phase of the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund have already exceeded $3.3 million, including a gift from new funding partner The Payne Fund. Funding partners urge other foundations, corporate entities, individuals and organizations to contribute to the Fund. Donations of any amount are welcomed, and all contributions are tax deductible.

Based upon the charitable structure of the Rapid Response Fund, the second phase is currently accepting grant applications from eligible organizations serving Cuyahoga, Lake and/or Geauga counties. The Fund is designed primarily to support human service nonprofits with operational budgets of less than $20 million. The Fund partners encourage collaborative proposals that involve multiple organizations within similar sectors or neighborhoods working on shared issues, with a focus on basic needs, family supports, PPE, testing and contact tracing.

Grants during Phase II of the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund are awarded every two weeks and will continue for one year. Awards range in size from $5,000 to $100,000, with a maximum grant amount of $100,000 for any nonprofit organization throughout the current cycle ending Oct. 31, 2021. Organizations that were funded during Phase 1 (between March-July 2020) are eligible to apply for additional funding. Grants are limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, or other charitable organizations able to receive a tax-deductible contribution.

For more information or to donate, visit ClevelandFoundation.org/Response.

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