Grants provide lifeline to deserving nonprofits as COVID cases surge and stimulus deal is stalled
HARRISBURG, Pa. (November 2, 2020) — The COVID-19 Community Response Fund reached a major milestone this week as it concluded its sixth and seventh rounds of grantmaking totaling $223,671 to 85 nonprofits within Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon, Perry, and Northern York (Dillsburg) Counties. And TFEC and the United Way have no intention of slowing down.
Some of these new grants were made possible through funds TFEC recently received from the Cumberland County Relief Block Grant Program. The generous grant from Cumberland County, available through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development made through the federal CARES Act, allowed TFEC to pay it forward in the form of emergency funding to Central Pennsylvania nonprofits.
“For many of these organizations they’re just trying to stay afloat so they can be there for the communities they serve and that rely on them,” said Janice Black, president and CEO of TFEC. “While we’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received so far, these organizations need us to keep going and we can’t do that without the support of donations from individuals and other organizations,” said Black.
Specifically, the funds are being used to purchase and provide medication, health supports, hygiene kits, personal protective equipment, touchless water fountains, and virtual programming supports to local nonprofits on the frontlines of the pandemic.
“Funding from programs like this are helping us provide life-sustaining medications to those who have lost jobs and health insurance during COVID,” said Debra McCain, executive director, Beacon Clinic for Health and Hope. “The patients we serve are uninsured and living at 200% or less of the federal poverty level. Helping a diabetic stay out of the local Emergency Dept because they can’t afford insulin is one small example of how supporting free clinics like ours helps the wider healthcare community. Since the beginning of 2020 we have provided over 2,700 free medications to our patients year-to-date,” said McCain.
Nonprofit organizations awarded funding during the sixth and seventh rounds include:
Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library
Christian Recovery Aftercare Ministry, Inc.
Farm of Hope Inc.
Gretna Theatre
Junior Achievement of South Central PA
Keystone Service Systems, Inc.: Capital Area Head Start
OnFire Youth Ministry, Inc.
Pine Street Presbyterian Church: Downtown Daily Bread
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central PA
Beacon Clinic for Health and Hope
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society
Hope Within Ministries
Mission Central, Inc.
The Arc of Cumberland and Perry Counties
The Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania
Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania
A complete list of grant recipients can be found at www.tfec.org.
This grant opportunity is available to long-standing nonprofit organizations in Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon, Perry and Northern York Counties that are responding to the spread of COVID-19, are experiencing financial challenges by doing so, and which meet the grant guidelines posted at www.tfec.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the crisis. Applicants who are awarded funds must wait 30 days before submitting a new application. Applicants who are not awarded funds may apply again upon receiving notification of denial. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; awarded funds may be utilized upon receipt.
Cases are increasing daily. Any amount individuals can contribute will help. Donations to the fund can be made at www.tfec.org/covid19. 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.
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/.
Media Contact:
Alexandra Rhodes
arhodes@madewithmerit.com
(717) 824 – 0903
