Placer Community Foundation awards first grants from COVID-19 fund

To address the unique atmosphere the coronavirus pandemic has created for non-profits, Placer Community Foundation created a COVID-19 Response Fund this month. Last week, the foundation awarded its first three grants with money from the special fund. With initial dollars raised, the fund has already dispersed $50,000 to Placer Food Bank, $10,000 to Seniors First and $5,000 to Auburn Interfaith Food Closet. "We are closely attuned to how this pandemic is impacting our community," said Veronica Blake, CEO of Placer Community Foundation. "The ripple effect of this virus is already visible as an overwhelming number of vulnerable families and home-bound seniors are struggling to meet basic needs." Through individual and corporate donations, funds are being collected to provide resources to vital community services that are facing critical impacts from the novel coronavirus. Through grants, the effort will aid nonprofit community-based organizations that support basic needs such as food, housing and access to health care throughout Placer County. The funds are now accepting community donations. The foundation began the COVID-19 Fund with $50,000 of their own funds and had raised an additional $82,000 as of Monday. Placer Community Foundation is in close, ongoing communication with the county, community organizations and school district leaders to determine how the foundation's assistance will have the greatest impact. However, urgent action is needed to protect those who are at greatest risk, including seniors who face greater health risks from the virus and low-income families with young children who may experience immediate economic hardship due to school closings and job loss, Blake said. "We called local agencies and asked how are your operations and what are your greatest needs," said Eileen Speaker, grants manager for Placer Community Foundation. "It was clear that food was a need." After identifying food system support as a top priority, foundation leadership sought partners whose food assistance resources would have the largest reach, which is how they selected the Placer Food Bank, Seniors First and the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet as their first grantees. The foundation purposefully did not make this a typical grant application process, which usually involves a long waiting period. "We are not doing a grant application process," Blake said. "There is no time for that. We need to mobilize and go where the need is so we eliminated the red tape of going through the grant process." Jim Williams, foundation board chair, said thankfully, the foundation did not have to go into this giving situation unprepared. In the wake of devastating fires last year, the foundation was investigating how best to collect and distribute funds in times of crisis. Blake and Williams agreed one advantage of the foundation is its strong relationships with non-profits. "We have a background and history of working with so many providers in the community," Williams said. "We know people and have the confidence they can get the job done." Though the first three grants have been dispersed, foundation officials agreed they are a long way from being done with their fundraising. "The work isn't done, the needs are only exasperating themselves," said Katie Mothersell, marketing and communications manager for the foundation. "Our ability to respond in real time is key to the timeliness of making a difference." Placer Community Foundation officials said they know times are financially difficult for people around the county, but any donations are welcome. "I am working from home so I am not spending money on gas right now," Speaker said. "So that money I am not spending on gas I am giving. Certainly, if you are saving, think of that as a way you can help."