Ten organizations receive funding in latest round of grantmaking from Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund

Partners award $227,500 in seventh cycle of Phase II grantmaking

Release Date: 2.9.2021

CLEVELAND – The Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund announced today its seventh cycle of biweekly grants as part of its Phase II efforts to support the Greater Cleveland nonprofit community during the ongoing pandemic. In total, $227,500 was awarded to 10 organizations and groups serving Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties, bringing the overall amount to nearly $2.6 million since the start of Phase II in mid-November.

As first announced two weeks ago, the Fund’s grantmaking priorities will now primarily focus on basic needs, responding to housing challenges, and PPE distribution to reduce the spread of the virus. Applications in the family support priority area for Phase II will not be considered at this time unless they also fall in one of the aforementioned focus areas. This change to the funding priorities will continue until the end of March. At that time, the Fund will evaluate community needs and adjust priorities as necessary.

The latest round of grant recipients includes:

  • Epilepsy Association ($45,000): To provide tablets to keep vulnerable clients in Cuyahoga County in touch with case managers and other healthcare professionals in order to improve client health outcomes by increasing access to care
  • Feed the Soul ($20,000): To purchase a new refrigerator and to collaborate with additional organizations to identify transportation for food delivery to up to 500 additional individuals with difficulties accessing services in Cleveland’s near east side neighborhoods
  • Help Foundation, Inc. ($30,000): To continue to staff the organization’s residential facilities 24 hours a day, while offering virtual adult day support services for individuals with developmental disabilities in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties
  • Koinonia Homes, Inc. ($15,000): To install touchless bathroom faucets in Cuyahoga County residences housing multiple clients to help stop the spread of COVID-19 among individuals with developmental disabilities and staff members
  • Medina Creative Housing Inc. ($20,000): To purchase PPE for staff and clients and to provide additional distance learning and life skills training opportunities to individuals with developmental disabilities in Cuyahoga County
  • New Agrarian Center ($10,000): To allow the continued operation of 15 City Fresh markets, 10 of which are located in Cuyahoga County census tracts deemed food deserts
  • 1,000 Ties ($9,500): To provide 2,000 hygiene kits to Cleveland Metropolitan School District students
  • Two Foundation ($30,000): To continue to provide job training and placement for individuals with developmental disabilities in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties
  • West Side Catholic Center ($18,000): To purchase new HVAC systems and air purification systems so that the organization on Cleveland’s near west side can continue to provide programming and meal delivery services by keeping staff and clients safe

In addition, the partners have allocated $30,000 to retain a government affairs firm on behalf of the Fund that will monitor and pursue state and federal advocacy opportunities that improve local COVID-19 recovery efforts.

Contributions to the second phase of the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund total more than $3.5 million. Funding partners urge other foundations, corporate entities, individuals and organizations to contribute to the Fund. Donations of any amount are welcomed, and all contributions are tax deductible.

Based upon the charitable structure of the Rapid Response Fund, the second phase is currently accepting grant applications from eligible organizations serving Cuyahoga, Lake and/or Geauga counties. The Fund is designed primarily to support human service nonprofits with operational budgets of less than $20 million.

The Fund partners encourage collaborative proposals that involve multiple organizations within similar sectors or neighborhoods working on shared issues.

Grants during Phase II of the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund are awarded every two weeks and will continue for one year. Awards range in size from $5,000 to $100,000, with a maximum grant amount of $100,000 for any nonprofit organization throughout the current cycle ending Oct. 31, 2021. Organizations that were funded during Phase I (between March-July 2020) are eligible to apply for additional funding. Grants are limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, or other charitable organizations able to receive a tax-deductible contribution.

For more information or to donate, visit ClevelandFoundation.org/Response.

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