W E
H E L P
E A C H
O T H E R
H E R E
The Coronavirus Response Fund By Scott Berson
community on lockdown. It’s not something we’re A used to in Columbus. We’re a city that does things together, that gets out and makes things happen. This is
transparent a process as possible amidst the rapidlychanging situation on the ground. “These are times we make the best decisions we have new ground for us, and while the virus is scary, what may available with the information we have at the time. This be more unsettling is the wave of complete uncertainty is something I think all of us who work in philanthropy that has crashed over modern life. We’ve never had to do in our community are interested in, trying to find positive things like this before, and nobody is sure what the next ways that people can respond to the needs of the most few weeks or months are going to look like. vulnerable. That definition is changing day to day as we We’re still strong, though. We care about each other, see people whose jobs are being affected by this crisis,” and we’re going to carry the burden together – and that’s she said. where the new Coronavirus Response Fund comes in. Covington said she expected three phases to the The program is a partnership between the Community pandemic: the current phase, a recovery phase and a Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley and United rebuilding phase. Nobody knows what those phases Way, and it aims to rapidly raise funds and distribute are going to look like, but it’s nearly certain that many them to local philanthropies to help those vulnerable, people will need support for the duration. “People may find themselves asking for help in ways they may never have had to ask for before,” she said. The fund is not able to distribute funds to individuals, but dialing 211 will connect people with resources that may be of help to them. Individual philanthropies can also fill out a form on the Community Foundation website to describe how their organization is working to address the pandemic crisis. Covington says that we should all remember to keep giving to the philanthropies we know and trust as well as valuable members of our community who are hurting to the fund, however. “Our goal is to help people respond from the virus and all the measures we are putting in in the fastest, most appropriate way possible,” she said. place to contain it. “Every nonprofit in this community is stressed right now. “We are really proud to be partnered with United If there are organizations that people love, by all means Way on this, we partner well in this community,” said continue this support. Now is a time when we need to be Betsy Covington, CEO of the Community Foundation. generous in ways we never knew before.” “We came together last week realizing that this is As this thing continues to unfold, Columbus will be something that was needed. We there for each other, for as long are transparent in telling people “...dialing 211 will connect as it lasts. It’s the only way to do we don’t know what we know yet, it. and the beauty of contributing to people with resources that may “We believe that our a fund like this is we’re going to community will get through be of help to them.” deploy these assets as flexibly as this,” Covington said. “We may possible within our community.” have tough times ahead of us, we don’t know. But we The plan is for the fund managers to work closely with tend to do things together well and that’s going to be the government leaders, businesses and philanthropies to secret to the recovery piece of this. Hang together, trust distribute resources to those affected by the pandemic. each other, and be extra patient and we’ll be okay.” “Charitable grants will fund organizations and Donors can find out more information at cfcv.com/ programs that have deep roots in our community and coronavirus or donate directly at cfcv.givingfuel.com/ strong experience working to provide residents with coronavirus.u access to food, prescriptions/healthcare, childcare and basic needs. The Fund is designed to complement the work of local public health, nonprofit, and government entities, and to expand local capacity to support individuals and families experiencing hardship because of the outbreak and related closures and disruptions,” the fund’s description says. Covington said the grants will work to address the needs of people who have suffered damage due to the loss of work and school and any issues related to increased healthcare demands. Decisions will be made internally about which organizations will receive grants, with as
LocaL
8
APR I L 2020
