The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and United Way Fox Cities have partnered to establish the COVID-19 Community Response Fund within the Community Foundation. The fund supports local nonprofit and other community organizations engaging in immediate basic needs relief, short-term response and longer-term recovery in Outagamie, Calumet, Shawano, Waupaca and the Neenah-Menasha area of Winnebago counties impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Both organizations are starting the fund with $50,000 each, for a total of $100,000 and are asking for additional donations from the community.

“Today, we’re facing an unprecedented challenge: the alarming spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus,” said Curt Detjen, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “This pandemic is taking a toll on everyone and every organization, including our region’s nonprofit organizations. It’s important we rally together to support our nonprofit organizations who will in turn provide aid to the community. And if someone wants to directly support their favorite nonprofit, they can make a direct donation to that organization.”

“We pride ourselves in being a resource for our community, in good times and challenging times,” said Peter C. Kelly, President and CEO of United Way Fox Cities. “Partnering to create the COVID-19 Community Response Fund aligns with our mission to create a stronger, more caring community for everyone. Our intention is that the fund does just that—ensures the community is still able to care for everyone during this pandemic.”

Checks can be made payable to the Community Foundation/COVID-19 and mailed to Community Foundation, 4455 W. Lawrence St., Appleton, WI 54914. Donations online can be made at cffoxvalley.org/covidhelp

Every dollar donated into the fund will be put into action in the community. The Community Foundation is waiving all credit card and administrative fees for this fund.

The Community Foundation and United Way, in consultation and partnership with other community entities, will administer grants from the fund in phases to help address immediate needs and short-term and longer-term impacts of the outbreak and recovery. During the first phase, priority will be given to community-based organizations providing basic needs services to people who are immediately and disproportionately suffering from this crisis. This phase includes proactively identifying potential grant recipients and using input, guidance and research from organizations and others in the community to make grant decisions.

In order to move resources quickly and not further burden nonprofit organizations, during the first phase, there will not be a formal application process for the fund. Agencies providing immediate basic needs relief can email United Way to share their needs so they can be considered during the granting process.

Grants will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs in subsequent granting phases. Grants from the fund will be recommended by an advisory committee, consisting of representatives from the Community Foundation and United Way, and approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Approved grantees will be published on web sites for the Community Foundation and United Way.

For our latest updates and our response to this ever-changing situation, please visit Your Community Foundation and COVID-19