Capital Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund Created to Provide Support for Affected Communities

PRESS RELEASE  |  MARCH 13, 2020  |  ALBANY, NY

Co-led by the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region and the United Way of the Greater Capital Region, The Capital Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund has been established to provide flexible resources to 501c3 organizations working with local communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the economic consequences of this outbreak. 

One-time operating grants will help fund frontline human services organizations that have deep roots in the community and strong experience working with vulnerable populations. The first phase of rapid-response grants will help meet basic needs and help increase resiliency in affected communities.  The Fund expects to move an initial round of grants within the next few weeks. 

The Community Foundation will administer grants from the Fund in partnership with United Way of the Greater Capital Region and in close collaboration with our partners. Together we will proactively identify potential grant recipients, solicit guidance on potential recipients from community advisors, and recommend final awards. Funds will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs in subsequent funding phases.

  • General questions & inquiries about the COVID-19 Response Fund can be directed to info@cfgcr.org.
  • For interested donors and partners, please contact John Eberle at jeberle@cfgcr.org.
  • For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact Johnathan Richardson at jrichardson@cfgcr.org or Cassandra Madsen at cmadsen@unitedwaygcr.org.
  • If you are a current fund advisor and would like to recommend a grant from your fund, please contact Shelly Connolly at sconnolly@cfgcr.org.
  • Donations can be made online using this link 
  • If you would like to make a donation by check, please mail to: the Community Foundation, 2 Tower Place, Albany, NY 12203.

For more information including a current list of our partners, please visit https://www.cfgcr.org/covid-19-response-fund.

 


ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE GREATER CAPITAL REGION 

Since 1968, the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region has worked to strengthen the greater Capital Region through philanthropy. The Foundation collaborates with donors and community partners who share their vision for community transformation through stewardship of charitable endowments, superior donor services, effective grantmaking, and leadership to address community needs. 

In 2019, The Community Foundation helped our fund advisors distribute over $6 million in grants and scholarships in the Capital Region and beyond. With assets currently totaling more than $80 million, the Foundation is comprised of more than 450 charitable funds created by a diverse group of individuals, families, and corporations. In addition, several local independent foundations (the Bender Family Foundation, the John D. Picotte Family Foundation, the McCarthy Charities, the B’nai B’rith Gideon Foundation, and the Review Foundation) contract with the Community Foundation for grantmaking assistance. 

Through flexible donor services, strategic grantmaking, and community leadership, the Community Foundation helps people support the causes they care about, now and for generations to come.  For more information, please visit the Foundation at www.cfgcr.org or call (518) 446-9638. 

ABOUT THE UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER CAPITAL REGION 

United Way of the Greater Capital Region is an organization that fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community.  It unites donors, volunteers, and community organizations in a common mission to strengthen our community and improve social conditions in the Capital Region and beyond. Learn more at www.unitedwaygcr.org.