No Hesitation in Response to Community in Crisis

March 2020: No Hesitation in Response to Community in Crisis

When the world faced a global pandemic this year, The Community Foundation Board of Directors knew the Foundation had a role to play in helping our community survive and recover from what was to come.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Muncie provided childcare for essential workers during statewide shutdowns.

In March, the Board approved $20,000 of the Foundation’s annual strategic grants budget be diverted for emergency response grants. They also gave staff the flexibility to approve grant requests of $2,000 or less between board meetings. The Foundation was ready to respond quickly to the community’s emergency needs. Immediate grant funding was provided for personal protective equipment for nonprofit staff, food or supplies for food distributions, medical supplies, nutrition supplements, and more.

Ross Community Center’s market ensured neighbors had safe access to food and supplies.

The Board directed that gifts made to The Unrestricted Fund of The Community Foundation from April until June would be immediately available for COVID-19 response grants. Donors and local funders contributed more than $67,000 to response efforts during this period. By the end of 2020, 47 nonprofit organizations received response grants totaling $93,000.

The National Guard was deployed to support food distribution through Second Harvest Food Bank.

Foundation staff increased the conversations they regularly have with nonprofit organizations, local school systems, and municipalities to maintain an up-to-date understanding of their needs and experiences. Information gathered from these conversations helped guide grantmaking related to the pandemic and over-all community recovery.

Muncie Mission continued to provide daily community meals, but shifted to a “to-go” model.