9 OUTSTANDING PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund There is strength in numbers, especially when an entire community unifies for the greater good. When the pandemic reached Western New York in mid-March 2020, the philanthropic community mobilized quickly to support nonprofits serving on the frontlines of helping our community meet the emergency needs of residents. By March 24, the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund was up and running, conducted a needs survey with over 1,000 nonprofits, and began fundraising. The Fund announced its first round of grants two weeks later. The first priority was to ensure funds were distributed to organizations serving on the front lines of crisis response. There were four rounds of funding ranging in size from $500 - $300K. While dispersing these immediate response grants, it became clear that many grass roots organizations also played an important role. Funds ranging from $500-$2500 helped to stock community pantries and provide bus passes for those in need of transportation. Throughout 2020 and to date, this collective group of philanthropic organizations has been monitoring the needs in our community and responding as quickly as possible. Grants have been made to address immediate areas of need such as a food, housing, healthcare, childcare, as well as to supporting organizations in working together to address long-standing challenges through Moving Forward Together. With the help of more than 100 foundations, corporations and community leaders, along with 1900+ individual donors, the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund has awarded a total of $14.2 million in grants to 400+ nonprofit organizations serving in all eight counties of Western New York. The Fund is administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and has received staffing support from The John R. Oishei Foundation, the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation and the WNY Foundation. This award is presented to a philanthropic foundation that demonstrates outstanding commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles in philanthropy and/or community involvement.
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