Foundation for Delaware County awards almost $75G in grants to 11 local nonprofits
MEDIA » The Foundation for Delaware County announced the first round of grants awarded from the Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund, created last month by the community foundation in response to the current pandemic crisis. The grants come as the foundation crossed the $300,000 fundraising mark, including donations of as little as
$10 contributed to help Delaware County nonprofits at the front lines supporting vulnerable residents who are bearing the greatest impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first wave of grants, totaling $73,655, was distributed to 11 nonprofits, each of which will receive a support grant to address emergency needs outlined in their proposals to the foundation. Grants are being awarded on a rolling basis during the coronavirus crisis, as donations continue to roll in. To date, the Response Fund has received more than 50 requests for funding; eligible nonprofits need only apply once.
“The Delaware County
COVID-19 Response Fund is a rapid response solution to provide resources to front-line organizations that are delivering emergency assistance, such as food security, healthcare, and childcare for the most vulnerable residents in this unprecedented crises,” said Mike Magnavita, chair of the Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund and President of the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union. “The selected organizations are deeply trusted organizations in their communities. They inspire us – and we know they are just a sampling of the work we can and must support moving forward.”
Support for the Response Fund has climbed over
$300,000, including an initial grant of $100,000 from the foundation. Foundation staff and an advisory committee chaired by Magnavita are conducting the ongoing review of applications and selections.
The first grantees from the COVID-19 Response Fund include:
• Boys and Girls Club of Chester, $10,155 to provide gift cards to grocery stores for food-insecure families served by the club and affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County,
$10,000 to support the continuation of services, including telephone crisis counseling, to survivors of domestic violence.
• Drexel Neumann Academy in Chester: $10,000 to provide gift cards to grocery stores for food-insecure families in Chester affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Greater Philadelphia YMCA, $5,000 to aid the Rocky Run and Haverford YMCA Early Learning Centers in providing childcare and school age programming to health care professionals’ children while they are at work.
• Individuals Aiding in Emergency Foundation,
$5,000 to partner with the Delaware County Emergency Services and collect essential products needed such as face masks, gloves, disinfectant cleaning supplies, CARE Kits that include basic hygiene supplies.
• Mitzvah Circle, $4,500 to purchase diapers, wipes and soap for families living at or below the poverty level and families struggling with serious medical conditions.
• Nationalities Service Center: $5,000 to provide financial assistance for immigrants who have lost their homes, income, and/ or employment due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
• Philabundance, $5,000 to prepare pre-assembled meal boxes, that can each provide up to four meals for a family of four, distributed with minimal contact to more than a dozen member agencies in Delaware County.
• Salvation Army,
$10,000 to distribute food boxes and essential supplies such as sanitizers, utensils, masks, and more to community members.
• Valley Youth House:
$4,000 to purchase essential items for necessities including food, clothing, cleaning supplies, and other household items for youth in the juvenile justice and foster care systems, and youth experiencing homelessness.
• Women’s Resource Center of the Delaware Valley:
$5,000 to sustain WRC’s Resource Coordination Counseling Services and support an Emergency Assistance Fund to address immediate needs such as food and household supplies not available through local pantries and healthrelated needs.
The Foundation for Delaware
County asks everyone to consider making a donation today, or to pledge a monthly recurring donation, to support organizations that are vital to Delaware County. Visit www.delcofoundation.org to make a gift. The foundation is grateful to all of the donors to the Delaware County
COVID-19 Response Fund, including these donors each of whom gave at the
$5,000 level or more: Bank of America, Barra Foundation, Boggs Family Fund, Crozer Keystone Health System, Carol and Daniel DuPont, DO, Ed and Ellen Hanway, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, Gallagher, Mike and Sofia Magnavita, PECO, PFM, Joan Richards, Scholler Foundation and the Nathan Speare Foundation.
To inquire about supporting the Delaware County
COVID-19 Response Fund, contact Ellen Grill at 610744-1015 or egrill@delcofoundation.org. The Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund Advisory Committee includes Chairman Mike Magnavita, CPA, president of the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union; Cyrise Dixon, chief of staff, City of Chester Police Department; Dr. Joy Gates Black, president, Delaware County Community College; Grant Gegwich, Director of public relations, Independence Blue Cross; Joseph McLaughlin, Jr., chairman & CEO, Haverford Trust; Robert Simpson, BrinkerSimpson; Kelly Thornton, Delaware County Chamber of Commerce; Malcolm Yates, partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers; U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon,
D-5 of Swarthmore; Delaware County Council Chairman Brian Zidek; and Joanne Craig, vice president for programs, The Foundation for Delaware County.
Runners and walkers sought for Book It! virtual event
The Helen Kate Furness Library and Swarthmore Public Library’s 4th annual Book It! 5K Run/ Walk has gone virtual. To keep with social distancing guidelines, the race is now a virtual run or walk. Participants should register at Run the Day (runtheday. com) by midnight on Friday, April 24, then walk or run a 5k at any time during the week of April 25 to May 2. The libraries have mapped out a few 5 km route options, or walkers and runners can create their own, or even run on a treadmill if they prefer.
Participants are encouraged to wear silly hats and share their photos, courses and times to the Book It! Facebook page.
All proceeds directly benefit the programs and services of the Helen Kate Furness and Swarthmore Public Libraries. Normally, the Book It! Event is a significant fundraiser for the libraries. With doing the alternative type of event this year, the libraries will appreciate any donations given. For courses, visit
https://swarthmorepubliclibrary.org/book-it-5kwalk-run. People should visit Run the Day for registration: https://www. runtheday.com/register/
detail/2020-book-it!-5krun-and-walk/.