In early March 2020, United Way of Broome County joined forces with The Conrad and Virginia Klee Foundation, Community Foundation for South Central New York, Dr. C. Clifford and Florence B. Decker Foundation, The Stewart W. and Wilma C. Hoyt Foundation, George A. and Margaret Mee Charitable Foundation, and Roger Kresge Foundation, to launch the COVID-19 Community Response Fund Alliance.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Broome County foundations, and United Way of Broome County quickly came together to create the funder collaborative that provided support for organizations that worked with individuals and families most negatively affected by COVID-19.
The COVID-19 Community Response Fund received donations and made emergency grants to nonprofit organizations that have deep roots and strong experience supporting impacted communities, particularly those that are disproportionately affected by the global pandemic and its consequences. The fund rapidly deployed flexible resources into the community to support programs and organizations addressing the effects of the coronavirus outbreak across Broome County. Areas of need included personal protective equipment, reopening assistance, disability services, senior services, food access, shelter and housing, with a great need in the childcare field.
In late September, the COVID-19 Community Response Fund Alliance determined one of the areas of most immediate need were our non-profit childcare centers, and deployed the last round of grants.
The Alliance approved fourteen $500.00 microgrants to local non-profit childcare centers to support efforts, including the purchasing of cleaning supplies and additional PPE. Additionally, the COVID-19Community Response Fund Alliance provided a microgrant of $550.00 to the Broome County Council of Churches’ CHOW program, to support food insecurity across our community.
Through the generous donations of local individuals and organizations, the alliance raised and distributed $387,563.52 in the form of 57 grants to 55 local nonprofit agencies that provide crucial resources to the community.
On behalf of United Way of Broome County, we thank all those who made the COVID-19 Community Response Fund Alliance a success, from donors to alliance members who volunteered their time to researching and allocating funding properly.
Although the response fund has come to an end, the community continues to face needs. You can still make an impact! Consider donating to the United Way of Broome County Annual Community Campaign today. 100% of all funds raised go directly to community-based projects and programs.