POTTSTOWN, May 22, UPDATE—Over $322,000 has been awarded to 101 nonprofit organizations through the MontCoPA COVID-19 Response Fund, and grant applications are still being accepted through The Montgomery County Foundation, Inc.
Nearly $575,000 has been raised so far for the fund, which allows residents, businesses, and philanthropies to donate towards COVID-19 relief efforts. The need remains great and will continue to grow over the next several months. Contribute to the effort here.
Grant funds have been distributed to nonprofit organizations serving every area of the county, including food pantries, senior care programs, rent and utility payment programs for low-income residents, behavioral healthcare and telehealth services, ambulance services, childcare for healthcare workers, domestic violence services, protective personal equipment purchase for nonprofits continuing essential in-person services, public benefits navigator support, and emergency shelters.
April 9, 2020—The MontcoPA COVID-19 Response Fund has awarded a total of $141,500 to 41 nonprofit organizations as part of a community-driven effort to support the immediate needs of residents hardest hit by the pandemic. Nonprofit organizations are eligible to receive up to $5,000, and the fund is continuing to receive and review additional requests on a rolling basis.
As of April 7, over $265,000 had been raised for the fund, including almost $59,000 in donations from private individuals. More funds are urgently needed to support the efforts of first responders and social safety net providers. The need is unparalleled and will continue to grow over the next several months.
The MontcoPA COVID-19 Response Fund allows residents, businesses, and philanthropies to donate money towards COVID-19 relief efforts. The fund was established on March 26 by six local philanthropies along with the County of Montgomery. It is managed by the Montgomery County Foundation, Inc. This pooled funding model allows nonprofits in need to apply once for grants rather than apply separately to each foundation or corporate giving program, easing up the paperwork during a time when many nonprofits and front-line responders are working overtime to respond to the crisis.
Within a week of the fund opening, 60 nonprofits applied for funds totaling over $245,000 in requests. In this first round, grants will go to support a variety of basic needs programs: food pantries, senior care programs, rent and utility payment programs for low-income residents, behavioral healthcare and telehealth services, ambulance services, childcare for healthcare workers, domestic violence services, personal protective equipment purchase for nonprofits continuing essential in-person services, public benefits navigator support, and emergency shelters.
Projects were prioritized for funding based on the area served, the capacity to meet the higher demand for services, and whether the project targeted particularly vulnerable populations. Additional consideration was given to ensure that needs of historically under-served communities, such as recent immigrants or people of color, were also met.
There is still dire need for support. Another 70 grant applications are now awaiting review; however, without additional contributions, the Fund won’t have enough money to support all the grant requests.
“We’re thrilled to be funding our first round of applicants this week. Yet, the need for funding continues as the reality of this crisis begins to hit home. As the pandemic continues, more and more neighbors are struggling to pay rent, pay for food, address childcare challenges, and care for seniors at home. Donations of any size are welcome and can be quickly mobilized to help those who need it most,” said Virginia Frantz, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Foundation, Inc.
Individuals, businesses, and institutions are invited to contribute to the fund online. Donations may also be made by check or by wire. Checks should be made payable to Montgomery County Foundation, Inc.- MontCoPA COVID-19 Response Fund, and mailed to 4 Sentry Parkway, #302, Blue Bell, PA 19422. The Foundation’s EIN is 23-3070457.
