SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Central New York Community Foundation is partnering with the United Way of Central New York, the Allyn Family Foundation, the City of Syracuse, and Onondaga County to establish the COVID-19 community support fund.
This fund will support nonprofit organizations working with communities disproportionately impacted by the economic consequences of the pandemic, Peter Dunn, president and CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation, said.
He made the announcement during a Wednesday news conference at the CNY Philanthropy Center in Syracuse.
“The fund is designed to rapidly deploy flexible resources in the form of short-term grants on a rolling basis to nonprofits whose operations support vulnerable populations that are stressed by the outbreak. It will focus on immediate needs and safety-net issues, including such things as food security, housing access, child care, and related issues,” said Dunn.
The Community Foundation will administer “rapid-response” grants from the fund, in partnership with the United Way of Central New York and the Allyn Family Foundation and in close collaboration with the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, and other funding partners to “ensure that the fund has maximum reach and effectiveness,” Dunn told reporters.
“Together, we will identify potential grant recipients and determine grant awards. We are working right now to create a simple online form to expedite grant reviews,” he added.
He went on to say that the Community Foundation will make an initial contribution of $300,000 from its general endowment to start this fund.
“We encourage individuals, institutions, local businesses, and other funders to donate as well,” Dunn said.
Donations may be made online at cnycf.org/covid19 or by contacting Thomas Griffith, vice president, development at (315) 422-9538 or tgriffith@cnycf.org, per a news release about the fund.
The coronavirus pandemic represents a battle on two fronts here in Central New York, including a public-health crisis and a threat to the economic stability of so many people, said Dunn.
The outbreak has some people facing “disproportionate challenges” due to unexpected time off of work, unplanned child or health-care expenses, transportation or housing issues, or a lack of reliable access to information.
In addition, reductions in donations and support are impacting many local nonprofit organizations and charities, “given the uncertain environment that we suddenly find ourselves within.”
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com