SVCF continues to closely monitor and respond to the mounting challenges posed by COVID-19. Partnering with our community foundation colleagues, private foundations, corporations and local governments across the region, SVCF has been hard at work helping our communities confront the serious effects of this pandemic. Here is what we’ve been working on.
Over $2 million received in response to COVID-19
We offer our sincere gratitude to the individuals, families, companies and local governments that have already donated, and with whom we are having ongoing conversations about community needs. As of March 24, we have received donations of nearly $2.6 million to support low-income individuals and families, nonprofits and small business impacted by the effects of COVID-19. This includes contributions to the three funds described below, as well as to Silicon Valley Strong and San Mateo Strong, on which we are partnering with local governments and companies in the Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. These initiatives coordinate funding and volunteers as well as direction on where residents can find help.
We are starting to make grants with these funds this week. In addition, we have received commitments for several million dollars more in support from corporations and private foundations, and we look forward to announcing more soon. We also know that our fundholders are making grants from their SVCF funds to many other nonprofits responding to this pandemic.
Learn more about our three funds below.
Helping Low-income Individuals & Families
The virus outbreak and “shelter in place” directives are inflicting severe financial hardship on many Bay Area residents already living paycheck-to-paycheck. The COVID-19 Coronavirus Regional Response Fund, hosted by SVCF in partnership with other Bay Area community foundations, supports low-income individuals and families in the ten Bay Area counties.
Supporting Local Nonprofits
Nonprofit organizations providing vital services to our communities are struggling to keep up with demand for their services during this pandemic. The Regional Nonprofit Emergency Fund is now accepting applications for operating support grants to nonprofit organizations serving one or more Bay Area counties.
Lending Financial Assistance to Small Businesses
Small businesses are facing plummeting sales and closures due to the “shelter in place” order. When small businesses fail, the owners, their families, their employees and whole communities suffer. The Small Business Relief Fund, hosted by SVCF in partnership with Opportunity Fund, will support struggling self-employed and small business owners.
Amidst the uncertainty, it is critical for us all to come together as a community and help those most affected by COVID-19.
A note on SVCF’s operations:
To protect public health and our staff, SVCF has been in work-from-home mode since March 12. We are working with our donors and nonprofit and public sector partners each day to respond to this pandemic, as well as continuing our everyday work of stewarding charitable funds, connecting donors with nonprofit initiatives, and getting grants distributed. We are grateful for your support and the trust you place in SVCF.
Again, our thanks to those who have already contributed to one or more of our funds. We are grateful for your continued support as we navigate these challenges together.
Thank you to our community foundation partners: