Kimberly-Clark employees help strengthen the community (file photo).

Generous businesses, organizations are quickly rallying support for the new COVID-19 Community Response Fund, raising more than $260,000 in two days!

Within minutes of the Community Foundation and United Way Fox Cities announcing the creation of the COVID-19 Community Response Fund within the Community Foundation, Kimberly-Clark contributed $50,000. And the region’s corporate generosity continued to show.

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. United Way and the Community Foundation started the fund Tuesday with $50,000 each and are asking for additional donations from the community.

In the two days since the announcement of the fund, businesses, foundations and funds within the Community Foundation have committed $260,000, bringing the total to more than $360,000. Dozens of individuals have also donated online and in other ways.

“Kimberly-Clark is proud to partner in supporting the Fox Valley as we navigate through the COVID-19 crisis together,” says Kim Underhill, Group President, Kimberly-Clark North America. “We are committing $50,000 to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund to ensure our local non-profits will continue to have the funding they need to support our most vulnerable community members. This is a difficult time for many in our community and we want to do everything we can to make sure families have the essentials they need.”

Thrivent volunteers impacting lives locally (file photo).

Thrivent Foundation is also donating $50,000 to the community response fund. “In uncertain times, we know the power of coming together as a community,” says Michael Dominowski, President of the Thrivent Foundation. “We’re pleased to make this contribution to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund and support the important work being done to provide individuals and families in the Fox Cities and surrounding communities with immediate aid and relief.”

“We are so proud to support the Community Foundation and the United Way in their efforts with this special fund. We are hopeful many more in the community will follow suit,” says Dave Gross, President and CEO of SECURA., which pledged $25,000. “The Fox Cities Region is truly special, and we will continue to support those most challenged whether through support of this outlet or direct to non-profits.  We do believe ‘it takes a village,’ especially in unprecedented times like these.”

Microsoft committed $20,000 while Great Northern Corporation pledged $10,000. Capital Credit Union and Integrity Insurance each graciously added $5,000 to the community response fund.

In addition to these businesses, several funds or organizations within the Community Foundation have contributed. The William J. & Barbara A. Schmidt Family Foundation donated $50,000. The David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund gave $25,000 to this effort and also $25,000 to the Green Bay Community Foundation Emergency Response Fund. The Seifert Family Fund and Twinkle in her Eye Fund each added another $10,000.

The groundswell of donations of all monetary sizes continues to help the fund grow. Donors will eventually be listed on the cffovalley.org/covid web site.

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

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 COVID-19 Community Response Fund supports nonprofit organizations. Individuals seeking assistance should call United Way 211. For our latest updates and our response to this ever-changing situation, please visit Your Community Foundation and COVID-19