Foundations Pledge Support for COVID-19 Relief – Update (04/15/2020)

As COVID-19 continues to spread in the United States, private foundations are stepping up with funding to meet the immediate needs of individuals and vulnerable populations impacted by the virus. Here's a roundup of grants from the last few days:

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Redwood City, CA | $1.3 Million

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has announced grants totaling $300,000 to help students in underserved communities transition to distance learning as the virus forces schools to close. A grant of $200,000 to EducationSuperHighway will support the Digital Bridge project's efforts to provide connectivity to thousands of students, while a grant of $100,000 to Fugees Academy — a network of tuition-free independent schools in Georgia and Ohio — will fund efforts to foster the safety and well-being of students and ensure the continuity of their education. In addition, CZI has pledged $1 millionfor COVID-19 relief efforts on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. Grant recipients there include Wilcox Medical Center, the Hawaii Community Foundation, and 'Aina Ho'okupu O Kīlauea.

Conrad Prebys Foundation, La Jolla, CA | $350,000

The University of California, San Diego has announced a $350,000 challenge grant from the Conrad Prebys Foundation to match donations, on a one-to-one basis, to the university's COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. The fund will support COVID-related research and frontline healthcare efforts to address the spread of the virus.

Open Hearts Foundation, Los Angeles, CA | $100,000

The Open Hearts Foundation, which was co-founded by actress and philanthropist Jane Seymour, has committed $100,000 to launch an Emergency Relief Fund in support of Los Angeles and New York City frontline nonprofits serving women and children during the public health emergency. Initial awards include matching grants to the Children's Lifesaving Foundation ($25,000), Jenesse Center ($10,000), and Mending Kids ($10,000), as well as grants to Children's Hospital Los Angeles ($5,000), the Association to Benefit Children ($25,000), and Harlem Children's Zone ($25,000).

Lewis Prize for Music, Coral Gables, FL | $1 Million

The Lewis Prize for Music has announced the launch of a COVID-19 Community Response Fund with a $1 million commitment in support of creative youth development (CYD) organizations responding to the needs of youth impacted by the public health crisis. Grants ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 will provide direct support to music organizations and leaders taking a leadership role in responding to the virus.

George and Frances Ball Foundation, Muncie, IN | $200,000 

The George and Frances Ball Foundation has announced grants totaling $200,000 to local nonprofits working to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. Recipients include Back to School Teachers Store, for the purchase of supplies to include in home-learning kits for Muncie Community Schools elementary students; Christian Ministries, for the purchase of cleaning supplies for shelters as well as food pantry distributions; and the Muncie Children's Museum, to offset operational expenses and costs associated with the development of online programming.

Ruderman FamilyFoundation, Boston, MA | $110,000

The Ruderman Family Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant in support of mental health services for medical professionals at Massachusetts General Hospital, the Boston Globe reports. The foundation also contributed $10,000 to the Boston Police Foundation to expand clinic hours for police officers who want to talk confidentially to a mental health professional.

Horizon Foundation, Columbia, MD | $1 Million

The Horizon Foundation has announced grants totaling $1 million in support of frontline Howard County healthcare workers and institutions, mental health needs, and efforts to enable safe distancing in the county's homeless shelter and residential programs for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Recipients include Howard County General Hospital ($500,000), Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center ($50,000), and the Arc of Howard County ($50,000). 

Robert I. Schattner Foundation, Rockville, MD | $105,000

The American Kidney Fund has announced a contribution of $105,000  from the Robert I. Schattner Foundation to its Coronavirus Emergency Fund in support of low-income dialysis patients and those who have recently received transplants. The grant will provide emergency assistance to patients in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia who need help paying for food, transportation, medications, and/or medical supplies.

Henry L. HillmanFoundation, Pittsburgh, PA | $3 Million 

The Henry L. Hillman Foundation has announced commitments totaling $4 million in support of COVID-19 response efforts, including a previously announced $1 million contribution to launch the Pittsburgh Foundation's Emergency Action Fund. The other commitments include $350,000 to help Allegheny County meet the immediate needs of vulnerable residents and grants totaling $1.65 million in basic needs support for nonprofits serving vulnerable communities; $115,000 to the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research; $250,000 to Global Links to coordinate personal protective equipment (PPE) supply and distribution and other equipment needs for frontline responders; and $700,000 in gap funding for minority- and women-led businesses and nonprofits in the region.

Russell FamilyFoundation, Gig Harbor, WA | $1.7 Million 

The Russell Family Foundation has announced grants totaling $1.7 million in support of local COVID-19 response and relief efforts. Grants include $1 million to the Pierce County Connected Fund to fund services for residents impacted by the public health crisis; $670,000 in unrestricted general operating support — converted from Environmental Education grants — for twenty-six nonprofits; and $25,000 to RAIN Incubator in support of its efforts to boost regional COVID-19 testing capacity. 

(Photo credit: University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research)