Hartford Foundation Launches Fund to Assist Those Most Affected by Pandemic With $1 Million
/The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has launched a fund to rapidly deploy resources to support the residents who are most significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The COVID-19 Response Fund will provide flexible resources to organizations throughout the region that serve residents who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the economic consequences of the outbreak. The Fund is designed to complement the work of federal, state and municipal government efforts and expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak as efficiently as possible.
In November 2017, the Hartford Foundation established the Respond-Rebuild-Renew Fund in response to the growing needs faced by individuals and families relocating to Greater Hartford following natural disasters. Monday afternoon, in a conference call with more than 100 business leaders, Hartford Foundation president Jay Williams announced plans to redeploy that fund and rename it to address the urgent needs during the current coronavirus pandemic as well as the long-term recovery efforts resulting from this outbreak.
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding communities, and has developed a strong reputation as a convener and leading initiator for critical regional initiatives. Earlier this year, the Hartford Foundation announced financial support for efforts to ensure an accurate count in the 2020 U.S. Census in Connecticut, joined by other community foundations around the state and ultimately by the State of Connecticut, which initially had not designated any financial support for the Census count effort.
"Working with the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and other partners, the Hartford Foundation is launching the COVID-19 Response Fund to provide both short- and long-term support, as our community and residents deal with the fallout from the pandemic," explained Williams in a late afternoon statement. "The corporate community has stepped up before in times of crisis, and we are hopeful that these companies will continue to grow the COVID-19 Response Fund to help provide immediate assistance to nonprofits and support long-term efforts that will be necessary to stabilize our region in the aftermath of this crisis.”
The first phase of these rapid-response grants will address:
Immediate needs of economically vulnerable populations caused by closures and cancellations related to COVID-19.
Increased demand for medical information and support.
The economic impact of reduced and lost work due to the coronavirus outbreak.
In the near-term, one-time operating grants will fund community-based organizations that provide basic human needs to residents with the highest needs for:
Food and grocery items
Health Care Services
Resources for Rent and Utility services
The Hartford Foundation will administer grants and in collaboration with the United Way, will convene an advisory group to include representatives of the business community, philanthropy, nonprofits and faith-based organizations. Announcements regarding participants on the advisory group, and business contributions to the fund, are anticipated in the coming weeks. Officials intend to proactively identify and recommend final awards, with the COVID-19 Response Fund expected to make an initial round of grants within the next few weeks.
