Hancock County Funders Award $115K in Relief Grants
April 22, 2020
The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation and the United Way of Hancock County have awarded grants from their respective emergency funds, working together to address community-wide needs stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. The two organizations are coordinating their response to funding requests and sharing emerging data regarding community needs.
This week, 11 grants totaling $115,574 were awarded to local nonprofits addressing emerging needs and impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
“Both organizations have independent funds and teams for reviewing grants. By combining the United Way’s experience in emergency relief efforts with The Community Foundation’s focus on long-term recovery, we feel like we’re giving Hancock County the most unified approach possible,” Angela DeBoskey, United Way CEO.
Community Emergency Support Fund
The Community Foundation established the Community Emergency Support
Fund to respond to emergent needs as well as long-term recovery from
crises like the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are grateful to have a partnership with United Way that leverages each organization’s strengths to support our community. It is critical that we come together as a community to ensure nonprofits have the resources they need to continue to serve Hancock County,” Katherine Kreuchauf, TCF President.
An initial $100,000 donation from the Foundation’s annual grant pool
was used to seed the fund and an additional $58,000 has been raised
since April 1. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with
funding decisions announced every two weeks until the emergency is over
or the funds are depleted. The Foundation will also award grants from
field of interest funds, established by donors to support issue areas
such as hunger, homelessness, or mental health and substance use. The
Foundation’s Grant Review Committee oversees distribution of the grant
awards.
Grants totaling $64,016 were awarded to:
- Findlay Family YMCA - $10,000
- Findlay Hope House - $10,000
- Habitat for Humanity - $4,000
- West Ohio Food Bank - $39,016
- Youth for Christ - $1,000
Field of Interest Funds established to support housing and mitigate homelessness provided $13,208.
In addition to the Community Emergency Support Fund, the Foundation is hosting calls with legislators, providing access to technical support for organizations applying for state and federal benefits, as well as access to experts in non-profit financial management.
Click here to learn more about the Foundation’s response to the pandemic, to obtain a grant application or to donate to the fund.
United Way of Hancock County Crisis Relief Grants
United Way of Hancock County’s Board of Directors issued six Crisis Relief grant awards totaling $51,558, based on the recommendations made by its Relief Fund Committee.
United Way maintains a relief fund and activates fundraising efforts at the onset of a local crisis in order to proactively respond to immediate basic needs. Distribution is made in a timely manner to expedite recovery measures. This fund is evidence of the generosity of area individuals and businesses and is designed to complement the work of city, county, public health and school officials and expand local capacity to address local crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recognizing needs stemming from the pandemic will continue to evolve, $50,000 was made available in the first round of funding to address the following priorities: food for children and the elderly; eviction and homelessness prevention; flex funds for transportation, childcare and utilities.
Agencies receiving grants from the first round of funding include:
- Christian Clearing House - $15,000 for eviction and homelessness protection
- City Mission - $15,000 for emergency shelter and needs
- The Feed-A-Child program - $1,950 to feed children within our community.
- West Ohio Food Bank - $11,508 for emergency food boxes for homebound seniors
- Van Buren Maranatha Food Pantry - $600 for its food pantry
A second round of crisis relief funding, the amount to be issued and the priorities it will address will be announced May 1.
To learn more and apply for funding click here. To donate to UWHC’s Relief Fund, click here.
