Thank you for your support
The COVID-19 Response Fund was the first activation of a regional emergency management and disaster response fund established through a partnership between the Community Foundation and the Emergency Management Alliance of Central Virginia. Launched with an initial gift from the Community Foundation in March 2020, the fund grew to $6.8 million with gifts from a cross-section of individuals, private foundations, corporations and other generous donors of the region. Many thanks to the following founding contributors that helped seed the fund:
Foundation and Community partners: The Cabell Foundation, Community Foundation for a greater Richmond, Humana Foundation, Jenkins Foundation, Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, Robins Foundation, Rotary Club of Richmond, Bob & Anna Lou Schaberg Foundation, United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg and their donors, VCU Health System
Business partners: Altria, Atlantic Union Bank, Bank of America, Capital One, CarMax Foundation, Dominion Energy, Facebook, Genworth, Markel, Wells Fargo, West Cary Group
Local Government partners: The Emergency Management Alliance of Central Virginia (representing 25 localities in Richmond and Central Virginia)
Media partner: NBC12
See a full list of contributors
Overview
The Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund awarded hundreds of grants to local nonprofit organizations thanks to the collective generosity of community members in the Richmond region and beyond. See a full list of grants with descriptions here.
We also shared stories throughout the year to offer insight into the needs that emerged from the pandemic and the incredible response of our local nonprofit partners in addressing those needs. Please see a sampling below.
Childcare
The Critical State of Childcare during COVID-19
Read how FRIENDS Association for Children continues to innovate to keep their children healthy, safe and cared for, and how the childcare sector is planning new strategies to bring stability to this vitally important industry.
Education
Bridging the Digital Divide in Schools through the COVID-19 Response Fund
The Response Fund and individual Community Foundation donors have granted over $1.16 million to bridge the digital divide in ten local school districts.
Food Access
Healthy Food Access during COVID-19
Shalom Farms and Greater Richmond Fit4Kids both focus on food access and health education, and they are finding innovative ways to continue serving our community during this time.
Thousands of Volunteers Support RPS Meals Program
When school buildings closed in March as a precaution against COVID-19, RPS knew they needed a system to ensure kids still have access to the food they need – and thousands of volunteers are stepping up to help.
Health
Daily Planet Builds Strategies for Homeless Healthcare Delivery during COVID-19
Many of the clients at Daily Planet Health Services are experiencing homelessness, which presents unique challenges to administering care during this health crisis. Preventing outbreaks at homeless shelters continues to be a top priority.
Cross-Sector Coalition Crafts Thousands of Masks for Richmond Community
When health officials began advising the use of protective face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19, many individuals and agencies had difficulty finding or affording the masks they needed. In response, businesses, nonprofit staff, universities, and thousands of volunteers across the region stepped up to create and source masks for our community.
Mental Health Services Expand for Students in Powhatan Despite Pandemic
Although the clinic has yet to see any COVID-19 patients at this time, their services are needed more than ever.
Q&A with Dr. Vivian Bruzzese, CrossOver Healthcare Ministry
An infectious disease specialist who serves as the Director of HIV Programs with CrossOver, Dr. Vivian Bruzzese shares what her position entails and how CrossOver is responding to the needs of their clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Housing
Looming Eviction Crisis Accelerates Regional Collaboration
Led by Partnership for Housing Affordability and ACTS, a new collaborative effort is underway to provide emergency rental assistance to those facing possible eviction in the wake of COVID-19.
Latino Community
Cross-Sector Initiative Aids Local Latinx Community
Latinx communities across the U.S. are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19—and CDC Leaders have found that the cross-sector supportive approach being taken in Richmond is a model for the rest of the country, when dealing with vulnerable communities.
Sacred Heart Center: Supporting the Latino Community during COVID-19
Even though many local nonprofits are limiting on-site programs as part of their COVID-19 precautions, Sacred Heart Center is still finding creative ways to support Richmond’s Latino community.