Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund eclipses $16 million in grantmaking

Deadline for Phase II applications is August 1

Release Date: 7.14.2021

CLEVELAND – The Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund announced today its 16^th cycle of biweekly grants as part of its Phase II efforts to support the Greater Cleveland nonprofit community during the ongoing pandemic. In total, $448,500 was granted to 12 organizations and groups serving Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties. Since the start of the fund in March 2020, partners have granted more than $16 million.

The latest round of grant recipients includes:

• Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland ($32,500): To provide emergency food supplies and hot meals to community members.
• Ease of Spirit Ministries of HOPE ($11,000): To fund the provision of food and PPE to low-income families, the homebound, and attendees of the organization’s grief counseling classes.
• Medworks ($38,000): To fund the successful implementation of 14 vaccine clinics at various churches from March-May 2021 in partnership with the Cleveland Department of Public Health and Greater Cleveland Congregations. A total of 1,600 people were fully vaccinated.
• JAYSTARR HOMES 2 INC ($35,000): To provide affordable housing solutions for young adults exiting the foster care system.
• Vaccination Access and Mobilization ($332,000): To coordinate getting residents registered and vaccinated, utilizing the following organizations as hubs in their respective communities: Bellaire Puritas Development Corporation, Burten, Bell, Carr Development Inc., Global Cleveland, May Dugan Center, Neighborhood Connections, Northeast Ohio Alliance for Hope (NOAH), University Circle Inc. and University Settlement Inc.

The Homeless Services Taskforce, an ad hoc subgroup of the Rapid Response Fund, is also working to make investments in the homeless services system leading to long-term, systemic impact on clients and how services are provided. Investment priorities include those increasing the capacity of the system to provide safe, healthy non-congregate shelter and those supporting rapid movement of clients out of emergency shelter and into stable housing. The Taskforce continues reaching out to system providers to discuss these priorities and invite proposals meeting these goals. The following six Taskforce awards close out the $4 million grant from Cuyahoga County’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act fund earmarked for investments in the homeless services system:

• Campus District Inc. ($650,816): To support the installation, fees, and maintenance of a network of high-quality permanent public restrooms throughout Downtown and Ohio City for use by individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as the general public
• Emerald Development and Economic Network, Inc. (EDEN) ($200,000): To assist with capital costs associated with the creation of affordable housing to serve previously homeless families
• Joseph’s Home ($121,460): To assist with capital costs and IT updates to the Joseph’s Home and Mary’s Home buildings, and capital costs for the creation and on-going operations of isolation rooms at Mary’s Home.
• Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry ($690,000): Funding for ongoing efforts to support service provision to and housing of individuals experiencing homelessness in Cuyahoga County.
• Ohio City Incorporated ($350,000): To purchase the Front Steps building located on West 25^th Street to be used by the YWCA of Greater Cleveland to house homeless women.
• YWCA Greater Cleveland ($127,208): To support staffing and operations of the Front Steps building located on West 25^th Street to house homeless women due to de-concentration efforts at the Norma Herr Women’s Shelter as a result of COVID-19.

The Fund welcomes applications from nonprofits seeking support to address community needs in the areas of basic needs, housing, PPE, testing and vaccination access. Applicants are asked to demonstrate that the program or project will have a direct impact on reducing the spread of COVID-19. The Fund is especially interested in applications that help vulnerable populations access the vaccine.

Contributions to the second phase of the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund total more than $10.9 million; this includes new gifts from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, Jane and Jon Outcalt Foundation, and The Treu-Mart Fund. 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 through August 1 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.

The Fund is expected to continue its funding through the end of August. Awards range in size from $5,000 to $100,000, with a maximum grant amount of $100,000 for any nonprofit organization. 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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