The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region exists to serve our community, especially in times of critical need. We’ll continue to pay close attention to needs related to the coronavirus pandemic as this develops in the Fox Valley region we serve.

As our local community joins the rest of the globe in navigating this pandemic, we want to update our partners about actions the Community Foundation is taking to operate with intention.

We believe our primary role and responsibility is to ensure our staff and community members are cared for during this time of uncertainty. We’re doing our part to slow the spread of the coronavirus to reduce the risk to our more vulnerable residents. We are prioritizing two actions:

• Taking steps to limit the spread of the disease in our community and our physical space by closing our office to the public
• Receiving and directing support to nonprofits impacted by the outbreak and the resulting quarantine

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Offices closed and basic business operations continue

To protect the health and safety of our staff, the Community Foundation office will be closed to the public, effective Monday, March 16, until we can evaluate the ever-changing situation. Operations in the office will continue with necessary staffing. Our staff will work remotely for the unforeseeable future, with full access to information and technologies to continue to support your philanthropic needs.

What does this mean?

• You can continue to reach our team members via their office phone numbers and emails.
• We will continue to receive contributions to charitable funds and process grant requests.
• Our staff will participate in all meetings via phone or videoconferencing.
• If you have any questions about our business operations during this time, please contact Steve Veldhorst, chief financial officer

Support our local nonprofit organizations

The Community Foundation is fully prepared to serve, support and advise our donors and provide grant support to the communities, even as it becomes necessary to limit staff presence within our physical office spaces.

The impact on nonprofits will vary on several levels, but primarily in two forms: the effect on their revenues, expenses and operations from closing physical facilities and/or canceling events, and the increased demand for services.

The community can support nonprofits in meaningful ways by making financial contributions and donations directly to the organizations. Donors can also recommend distributions from their donor advised funds at the Community Foundation.

Emergency fund in the works

We are working with several community partners to create a community emergency response fund and expect to have an announcement this week.

We all hope for a speedy end to this crisis. However, we can ease the anxiety and tension in the meantime by remembering that every person and organization is facing unforeseen challenges each day.

We are deeply grateful for your partnership in this work and wish you good health.

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