Our hearts are with all who have been impacted by the unprecedented events resulting from the coronavirus outbreak. To address the diverse and pressing needs of our community, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has recently established the NEPA COVID-19 Response Fund which aims to rapidly deploy resources to the nonprofit organizations that are at the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak in our region.
About the NEPA COVID-19 Response Fund
The NEPA COVID-19 Response Fund is a non-endowed, field-of-interest fund, which intends to provide immediate, responsive, and flexible resources to organizations in our local communities working with those who are impacted by COVID-19 and the related economic, social, and health-related consequences of the outbreak. The Fund is designed to expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak as efficiently as possible, particularly those that might be unable to be effectively addressed otherwise.
We are already seeing an incredible influx of requests from nonprofit organizations in need of additional support due to the impact of COVID-19. To help address these needs, grants from the Fund will be made immediately and on an ongoing basis, as funds are available, to help these organizations in crisis. We intend to release funds on a rolling basis throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis, moving resources quickly and adapting to evolving needs. The Foundation will receive input on grant decisions from an advisory committee composed of partner organizations from the foundation, nonprofit, and civic sectors.
Employee Hardship Funds
Learn about creating an Employee Hardship Fund through Scranton Area Community Foundation
Here are some of the additional ways the Scranton Area Community Foundation is responding to COVID-19:
• In addition to establishing the NEPA COVID-19 Response Fund, we are making critical connections to help our community. We created the NEPA Nonprofit Resources Google Group in order to quickly respond to and understand the changing needs of our local organizations. This discussion-focused group shares information, needs, and resources with each other and with those who may be in a position to provide assistance.
• We have established a program of weekly webinars to help nonprofit organizations during this time including training programs on crisis management, operations management, increasing fundraising revenue, and building sustainability.
We are deeply grateful for the generous support from donors, foundations, and funds in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Thank you all for your generous contributions to the NEPA COVID-19 Response Fund.
To learn how you can make a charitable impact through a planned gift, visit SAFplans.org.
