COVID-19 fund grants more than $3 million
The Community Foundation for Monterey County’s COVID-19 Relief Fund has granted more than $3 million.
MONTiRiY >> Facing a mounting need for assistance due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Community Foundation for Monterey County’s COVID-19 Relief Fund has granted more than $3 million so far but is seeking more support to continue helping those in need.
The Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund was launched in March at the onset of the crisis and has provided critical funding for food, housing, mental health and program support to nonprofits serving Monterey
County residents in need.
In the first six months, the Community Foundation supplied $3,023,762 in 127 grants to 103 nonprofits helping organizations serving vulnerable individuals and families affected economically and socially by the impact of COVID-19, the foundation announced in a press release.
“We have seen a dramatic increase in demand,” said Jack Murphy, deputy executive director of the Veterans Transition Center, in the release. “This grant will enable us to significantly increase the volume, quality, and nutritional value of VTC’s pantry.
We’re very grateful.”
The more than $3 million in COVID-19 Relief Fund grants include:
• $782,005 in 31 grants for COVID-19-related programming shifts to support vulnerable populations such as child care for essential workers, computers for low-income families and summer learning kits for youth.
• $755,875 in 31 grants for direct financial assistance to vulnerable individuals and families throughout Monterey County including Salinas, South County and the Monterey Peninsula.
• $739,387 in 31 grants for food and shelter such as emergency food bags, temporary shelter for homeless students and families ($482,400 of this total was for food distribution only).
• $189,400 in 11 grants for emergency program supplies such as emergency medical supplies for clinicians, personal protective equipment and essential supplies for families with children 0-5.
• $157,845 in six grants for shelter only such as low-income housing for seniors and safe parking programs for homeless people.
• $399,250 in 17 grants for other program support such as blood drives, social-emotional training and emergency medical funding.
“The grant will help us meet the increased demand and get more than 600 computers in the hands of students who need it for online learning,” said Christian Mendelsohn, Loves, Fishes and Computers founder and executive director. “Thank you for changing the lives of hundreds of Monterey County residents for the better.”
The Community Foundation stresses that though support so far has made a difference, federal benefits have diminished, eviction
protections are projected to end soon, and uncertainty continues for people facing unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. Because of that, the need for resources for local nonprofits serving the community remains stronger than ever.
“We’re immensely grateful to the donors and funders who stepped up to support our community through this fund,” said Dan Baldwin, president and CEO of Community Foundation for Monterey County. “The commitment to support our community must be sustained and we welcome gifts to the fund in order to make further grants to meet the need.”
To apply or to see a list of grants made to date, visit www.cfmco.org/CovidGrants. The Community Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence has also curated a list of COVID-19-related resources for nonprofits at www.cfmco.org.
Donors can make a secure online tax-deductible donation at www.cfmco. org/CovidRelief, mail a check to the Community Foundation for Monterey County, 2354 Garden Road, Monterey, CA 93940 with “COVID-19 Relief Fund” in the memo, or call 831-375-9712.
To contribute stock or make a gift of an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution, contact Christine Dawson at christine@ cfmco.org for details.