Community Foundation continues to raise funds for ongoing emergency grants
VANCOUVER — Over the past two weeks, the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington has awarded $694,038 in grants from the SW Washington COVID Response Fund. The grants assisted 17 local nonprofits serving residents who have been most affected by the health and economic impacts of COVID-19.
Following is a complete list of grants awarded from the emergency fund in the last half of April:
• Goodwill Longview Work Opportunity Center – $25,000
• Latino Community Resource Group – $90,000
• Longview Downtowners – $75,000
• NAMI SW Washington – $7,000
• PeaceHealth Southwest Foundation – $50,000
• Vancouver St. Vincent de Paul Society Conference – $50,000
• The Giving Closet – $2,500
• Vancouver Farmers Market Foundation – $6,368
• Catholic Community Services – $31,188
• Scholar Fund – $150,000
• Cowlitz County Habitat for Humanity – $58,500
• NAACP Vancouver Branch 1139 – $12,000
• Pathways 2020 – $50,000
• Lifeline Connections – $50,640
• The Salvation Army Longview Temple – $5,000
• Community Mediation Services – $5,842
• Medical Teams International – $25,000
Relief provided through the SW Washington COVID Response Fund now totals more than $2.5 million. Collectively, the 79 grants distributed are supporting programs and services that improve access to food, housing, technology, and health and safety equipment.
The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington established the SW Washington COVID Response Fund as a convenient way for residents to support urgent relief efforts across Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania Counties. President of the local foundation, Jennifer Rhoads, said every dollar donated to the response fund is passed along to nonprofits serving local communities. While the Community Foundation has raised more than $4 million thus far, more than half of that initial sum has been granted out over the last six weeks.
“Responding to this challenge involves both a sprint and a marathon, because the need is urgent and growing,” Rhoads said. “So, it’s important that we act quickly today, while also finding the compassion and generosity within our communities to sustain these relief efforts for tomorrow and beyond.”
Grants are announced weekly on the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington’s website, and grants will continue being distributed until funding is exhausted. Those interested in learning more or donating can visit cfsww.org/covid19.
List of Funding Partners
Apex Foundation, Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, Corwin Family Fund, Cowlitz Education and Arts Fund, Leslie Durst, Firstenburg Foundation, Donald and Margaret Fuesler Foundation, Goodwin Family Charitable Fund, Hansen Family Fund, Hatton GIBO Charitable Fund, Lee and Connie Kearney, Lematta Family, Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust, David and Patricia Nierenberg, Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund, Joe Pauletto Jr. Charitable Fund, Perigee Fund, Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health, Wells Fargo Bank, Umpqua Bank and many other generous contributors.
About the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington
Established in 1984, the Community Foundation helps local residents build a more vibrant community by inspiring investments in local philanthropy. The Foundation holds more than 360 distinct funds, which are actively invested to grow charitable assets. Governed by an esteemed volunteer Board of Directors, the Community Foundation offers benefits and services to donors, nonprofits and the community at large.
For more information, go to www.cfsww.org.
