Good Works P R O M O T I N G P H I L A N T H R O P Y. B U I L D I N G M O U N TA I N C O M M U N I T I E S .
spring/SUMMER 2009
Recession Response Fund A Region-Wide Effort to Help Those in Need
O
n February 9, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina launched the “Give from the Heart” campaign to raise $1 million for the Recession Response Fund. The need for the Recession Response Fund became clear as more and more regional nonprofits face increasing demands for their services in an economic climate that means decreasing donations and revenues. At the same time, rising numbers of foreclosures, increased utility costs and job losses are pushing people into crisis at record rates. The Community Foundation heeded a clear call to action and seeded the Recession Response Fund with $250,000. Working with partners such as the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, CFWNC affiliates and other foundations, and with the support of generous members of our community, the total secured has grown to $572,767.
Give Time. Give Money. Give Hope.
As this newsletter goes to press, we announce the second round of grants funded through a competitive grant process (see page 3) that draws on the resources and expertise of regional funders. More than $197,000 will be distributed, but the needs far outstrip the resources. Requests for funding totaling $483,291 were received from 87 nonprofit organizations. More than half of the grant requests were for hunger-relief efforts followed by applications for medical and mental health and shelter/housing projects. Domestic violence agencies have also seen surging demand for their services. A common point made by many applicants was the increase in firsttime requests for food assistance from formerly middle-class households. Also noted was the lag time between applying for food assistance and receiving it. In these cases, emergency boxes of food serve a critical gap.
“We saw an article in the paper about your efforts to Funds raised are distributed through raise money to address the regional problems that rolling grant have been caused by the recession. We’re new to deadlines to help North Carolina and this seemed like a way for us to front-line nonprofits effectively and efficiently help during a time of real meet growing demands for food, need. Right now, we all need to pull together and to shelter and medical reach out to help each other.” bills. One hundred percent of the — Stan and Collette Corwin funds are available New Donors to CFWNC for grants. No administrative fees are charged by the Foundation. Several applicants paired requests for emergency food assistance with either In January, grants of $50,000 to starting or expanding community MANNA FoodBank and $60,000 garden programs, representing an to OnTrack Financial Education & opportunity to address immediate Counseling were announced to directly needs, build community and increase address food and shelter needs in resources for the future. Western North Carolina. Another $90,000 was committed to the nine “The needs that exist far exceed the CFWNC affiliate funds in a dollarresources identified, at this point, for-dollar challenge match for each to address them,” explains CFWNC community. President Pat Smith. “We are working closely with other foundations and Barbara Wasson, a long-time partners to share expertise and avoid Foundation supporter, gave to the duplication of effort in order to help as Recession Response Fund because, “I many people as possible.” just wanted to help people since I know so many are going through hard times Cherokee Preservation Foundation right now. I think people that are more (CPFdn), a long-time collaborator fortunate should step up to the plate with CFWNC, provided $50,000 of and help in ways that they can.” the funds distributed in the recent
Give from the Heart Recession Response Fund
round of grants. CPFdn staff reviewed and selected for funding projects that will serve Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties. “We were able to draw on our knowledge and expertise of the issues in our region and the nonprofits best positioned to have an immediate impact,” said Susan Jenkins, executive director of the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. “Working closely with other funders, like The Community Foundation, allows us to deliver resources strategically, and that means we can help more nonprofits that are delivering services to people in crisis. Cherokee Preservation Foundation directors approved the grant, believing it is a good use of our resources so we can help our neighbors during this difficult time.” As Western North Carolina continues to struggle economically, regional needs are still increasing. Fundraising continues, aimed toward the next grant application deadline on May 15. If you have resources to help your neighbors in need, please consider making a contribution to the Recession Response Fund. Please visit www.cfwnc.org for updates on the Recession Response Fund.