COVID-19 Community Response Fund awards first round of grants to nonprofits providing essential services
HARRISBURG, PA — The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) and United Way of the Capital Region (United Way) has awarded $59,265 in grants to 25 nonprofit organizations providing essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve served a record number of people during the COVID-19 crisis, so this special funding opportunity is needed more than ever,” said Kathy Anderson-Martin, director of resource development, The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region (a grant recipient). “Our team at The Salvation Army greatly appreciates TFEC and their partnership with us.”
Through the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, a partnership between TFEC and United Way, awarded funds will be used to meet the community’s need for food and toiletries, personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, technology needs, homelessness prevention, alternative housing, hospice support and medical equipment.
“Demand for these services from nonprofits is up considerably and we expect the need to be there for some time,” Janice Black, president and CEO of TFEC. “This is only the first round of grants and we’re going to keep providing them as long as the need remains.”
Donations to the fund were provided by a variety of generous corporate donors and a growing number of individual donors. The fund has collected more than $120,000 to date.
“Every dollar that individuals and families can contribute will go towards helping others get food, housing, medical care and other essentials,” said Tim Fatzinger, president and CEO of United Way of the Capital Region. “It’s a money in money out system. This regional funding opportunity affords nonprofits support that are outside of the United Way’s typical funding scope.”
Donations to the fund can be made at www.tfec.org/covid19. Individual donors can also text “TFEC”, their donation amount and name to 56512 to receive a link to donate. Nonprofit organizations based in Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon, Perry and Northern York Counties are invited to apply for assistance through the fund at www.tfec.org/covid19resources.
Grant recipients include:
Bethesda Mission
CandleHeart, Inc.
Center for Employment Opportunities
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Christian Recovery Aftercare Ministry, Inc.
CONTACT Helpline
Diakon Child, Family & Community Ministries
Domestic Violence Intervention of Lebanon County, Inc.
Downtown Daily Bread
HANNA Education Foundation
Hoffman Homes Inc.
Hospice of Central PA
Keystone Service Systems, Inc.
Lebanon Valley Volunteer in Medicine
LGBT Community Center Coalition of Central PA
Marion Volunteer Fire Company
Merakey Foundation
Occupational Services Inc.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central PA
The Nativity School of Harrisburg
The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region
Tri-County Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc.
Valley Youth House Committee, Inc.
Vista Autism Services
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
About The Foundation For Enhancing Communities
The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC), a community foundation, inspires giving by partnering with donors to achieve their charitable goals, and strengthens our local communities by investing in them now, and for future generations. Founded in 1920, TFEC has been serving the South Central Pennsylvania counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon, and Perry, and the Dillsburg Area for 100 years. Regional foundations of TFEC include the Greater Harrisburg Community Foundation, the Franklin County Community Foundation, the Mechanicsburg Area Community Foundation, the Perry County Community Foundation, and the Dillsburg Area Community Foundation. For more information please visit www.tfec.org.
About United Way of the Capital Region
United Way of the Capital Region is committed to helping individuals and families become self-sufficient through access to health care, basic needs services, school readiness and workforce development. Working with our community partners we are improving lives in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties. For more information on the United Way of the Capital Region, please visit https://www.uwcr.org/.
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