Community Foundation's COVID-19 Nonprofit Response Fund Continues to Support Regional Nonprofits

The COVID-19 Nonprofit Response Fund was established with funds from the Community Foundation’s Unrestricted Endowment Fund on March 23 in response to Illinois’ March 21 shelter in place order and the widespread economic challenges impacting regional nonprofits. The fund has received additional contributions totaling $37,450, including a $25,000 grant from the Tracy Family Foundation. 

“Donors who establish Unrestricted Endowment Funds entrust us to steward their gifts to help when, where, and how it is needed most,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation Chief Executive Officer. “Right now, that need is helping our nonprofits through these challenging, uncertain times so that they can continue their good work through, and beyond, this crisis.”

Since the fund’s first grants were distributed on April 6, 24 nonprofit organizations have received grants in 11 of the 12 counties served by the Community Foundation in West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri. 

“We are so grateful for the work of these nonprofit organizations. Now, more than ever, nonprofits play a critical role in our communities,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation Chief Executive Officer. “The more we can support our nonprofit community, the more assistance they can provide to the individuals and families who need it most. These grants are feeding families, providing shelter and transportation, and increasing capacity to deliver health and mental health services.”

Grants from the fund include:

• Bella Ease/Teen Reach (Quincy): Distribution of snack and dinner to participants of the Teen Reach program and additional families in need.

• Cheerful Home (Quincy): General support for emergency child care needs of essential workers.

• Douglass Community Services (Hannibal): Emergency food distribution, including snack and evening meal. 

• The Food Bank of Central & Northeast Missouri: Emergency food distribution to food pantries in Clark, Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Ralls, Knox, and Shelby Counties, MO. 

• Harvest Outreach Ministries (Hannibal): Support of the Loaves & Fishes program, distributing take-home meals in collaboration with Hannibal Nutrition Center. 

• Horizons (Quincy): Support of the soup kitchen and food pantry.

• Quanada (Quincy): Shelter services for domestic violence victims compliant with social distancing orders.

• Salvation Army of Quincy: Shelter services compliant with social distancing orders and emergency food distribution.

• United Way of Adams County: Support of the Adams County Coronavirus Relief Fund, supporting unmet financial needs of individuals and families.

• Cornerstone: Foundations for Families (Quincy): Diapers and formula for Healthy Families Illinois First Steps Program.

• Midwest Youth Services (Brown County, Illinois): Homeless Youth Programming in Brown County, Illinois; including food, shelter, clothing and hygiene items. 

• OATS Transit (Northeast Missouri): Transportation costs and cleaning supplies for essential transportation.

• The Child Center, Inc. (Hannibal): General and program support for victims of child abuse, including a new online social media dangers training program for parents/guardians. 

• Barry Food Pantry (Barry, Illinois): Support for food purchase and transportation costs.

• LaHarpe CUSD #347: Assistance providing food for students residing in the LaHarpe School District.

• Memorial Hospital Foundation (Carthage, Illinois): Assistance for tents and tech to support curbside nurse vists. 

• Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials (Quincy): Support of individual assistance for food, housing and utilities. 

• Adams County Health Department: Laptop computer for emergency preparedness manager to deliver COVID-19 education and programming remotely. 

• Carl Sandburg College Foundation: Student crisis grants for students experiencing job loss due to COVID-19.

• Dallas City CUSD #327: Feeding students during COVID-19 school closure. 

• FaithWalk Ministry (Paris, Missouri): Support for the food pantry.

• Lutheran Church of St. John (Quincy): Support for the food pantry and individual utility assistance. 

• Mental Health Center of Western Illinois: Technology to provide virtual conseling during shelter in place orders. 

• YMCA of Hannibal: Emergency childcare for essential workers. 

Funds are still available for nonprofit organizations experiencing an increase in demand for services or decrease in revenue due to the current public health crisis. Nonprofits are eligible for grants up to $2,500 until funds are depleted and grants will be awarded based on priority. Organizations providing vital basic needs, services, and resources to disproportionately impacted individuals and families and vulnerable populations will receive first priority for funding; however, requests to support other nonprofit organizations experiencing financial hardship or providing other support services will also be accepted and considered as funding allows. Grant requests are evaluated weekly, including previously submitted applications that did not meet the Fund’s immediate priority. 

Grant funds must be used within the Community Foundation’s service area, including Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike Counties in Illinois; and Clark, Lewis Marion, Ralls, Pike, Knox, Shelby and Monroe Counties in Missouri.

Community members are encouraged to continue supporting their favorite nonprofits directly during this time. However, those who want to support nonprofits’ work but aren’t sure where to give or how best to help can give directly to the COVID-19 Nonprofit Response Fund. As grant requests are received, they will be summarized on the Community Foundation’s website to provide the community and donors with up-to-date information on the evolving needs of our nonprofit community. Requests may be viewed at www.mycommunityfoundation.org/covid19needs. 

Further information about the grants, eligibility, and application process can be found at www.mycommunityfoundation.org/covid19grants. 

Tax-deductible donations to support the grants program can be made to the Community Foundation online at www.mycommunityfoundation.org/give-now or by mail, 4531 Maine Street, Suite A, Quincy, IL 62305.

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The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri builds permanent charitable funds to assist area nonprofits and communities. 

Its mission, “connecting people who care with causes that matter,” is achieved by gathering funds, growing them through investments, then granting to nonprofit organizations, causes or communities that mean the most to its donors.   

Since 1997, the Community Foundation has made more than $8 million in grants. It serves 12-counties: Adams, Brown, Hancock and Pike in Illinois and Clark, Lewis, Marion, Ralls, Pike, Knox, Shelby and Monroe in Missouri.  

The Community Foundation has IRS 501(c)(3) status, and contributions made to the Community Foundation generally qualify for the maximum allowable deductions for income and estate tax purposes.  

For more information, call 217-222-1237, email info@mycommunityfoundation.org 

or go to mycommunityfoundation.org or www.facebook.com/mycommunityfoundation.