Community Foundation Distributes $250,000 to Assist Individuals, Families During COVID-19 Crisis
Twelve nonprofits in West Central Illinois receive grants through Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund
The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri distributed $250,000 to 12 nonprofits to assist individuals and families in Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike Counties, IL. The grants were made in conjunction with the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund (IRCF).
The IRCF, established by the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundation and the United Way of Illinois in collaboration with the Office of the Governor, prioritizes swiftly deploying resources to local nonprofit organizations across the state to supply essential resources to the individuals and households most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Community Foundation was one of 30 organizations in Illinois to receive funding from IRCF’s first round of grants, totaling $5.5 million.
“These funds are for the people of West Central Illinois, and the Community Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to steward them on behalf of the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund and partner with local nonprofits to quickly deploy them where and how they are needed most,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation Chief Executive Officer. “This Fund illustrates how people and communities across the state can come together and help each other through unprecedented challenges.”
Local grantee partners were selected in collaboration with Tracy Family Foundation, The Moorman Foundation, and John Wood Community College Foundation, known regionally as the Funder’s Collaborative.
“During these challenging times, nonprofits are working tirelessly to assist the increasing number of individuals who are experiencing hardship,” said Meckes. “But, they can’t do it without support. These funds will help our nonprofit partners provide vital services and resources to more families and hopefully, reduce the hardship this crisis will have on our region.”
Nonprofits receiving grants include:
- Bella Ease dba Teen REACH
- Blessing Foundation Inc.
- Cheerful Home Child Care &Early Learning Center
- Community for Christ Assistance Center
- Horizons Social Services
- Memorial Hospital Foundation
- Pike County Unmet Needs Inc.
- Quincy Catholic Charities
- Quincy Family YMCA
- Salvation Army of Quincy
- Transitions of Western Illinois
- United Way of Adams County
The Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund, chaired by former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, was established by the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations and the United Way of Illinois in collaboration with the Office of the Governor to provide flexible funding to local nonprofit organizations across the state to supply essential resources to the individuals and households most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds raised will be disbursed to nonprofit organizations across the state serving individuals, families and communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.
About the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund
The fund prioritizes swiftly deploying resources to local community foundations and nonprofits in support of residents in need of: emergency food and basic supplies; interim housing and shelter; primary health care services; utility and financial assistance; supports for children and other vulnerable populations, and nonprofit safety and operations assistance.
The Fund has raised more than $28 million from nearly 2,000 donors since its launch on March 26.
About the Community Foundation
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.
Persons needing assistance due to COVID-19 help through the Blessing Foundation should call Blessing Care Coordination at 217-223-8400, ext. 5560 to talk with a member of our Care Coordination team.