Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund awards $196,000 in latest round of grants

Release Date: 8.11.21

CLEVELAND – The Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund announced today its 17th cycle of biweekly grants as part of its Phase II efforts to support the Greater Cleveland nonprofit community during the ongoing pandemic. In total, $196,000 was granted to five organizations and groups serving Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties. Since the start of the Fund in March 2020, partners have granted more than $18 million.

The latest round of grant recipients includes:

  • McKinley Community Outreach Center ($20,000): To support infrastructural, operational, and programmatic expenses, including upgrading food pantry equipment and facilities, to meet the ongoing increase in demand for basic needs and food distribution in Lake County.
  • Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry ($50,000): To support the increased demand for case management services and behavioral health needs.
  • Haven Home, LLC ($10,000): To support the outreach and distribution of non-perishable food, clothing, diapers, hygiene kits, car seats and portable cribs to women with children and pregnant women in Slavic Village, Hyacinth, and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods.
  • Living Independently For Transition Inc. (L.I.F.T., Inc.) ($10,000): To provide PPE supplies, consumable household items, food, water, toiletries, care packages, clothing, and more to youth between ages 12-28, who have aged out of foster care, experience mental illnesses, behavioral concerns, homelessness; or who are members of the LGBTQ community, or expecting mothers.
  • Better Health Partnership ($106,000): For the purchase of 1,000 VISA gift cards for distribution to Cuyahoga County’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) to offer as an incentive for patients to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The grant will create a uniform and universal incentive program for all individuals that get their vaccines at a FQHC.

Contributions to the second phase of the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund total more than $10.9 million; including a new gift from Mary Cornelia Ginn. 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.

The Fund is no longer accepting applications for Phase II. For more information about future plans for the Fund or to donate, visit ClevelandFoundation.org/Response.

# # #