Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund announces latest round of Phase II grants

Since inception of the pandemic, more than $11.5 million has been distributed to support frontline nonprofit organizations in Greater Cleveland

Release Date: 3.9.2021

CLEVELAND – The Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund announced today its ninth cycle of biweekly grants as part of its Phase II efforts to support the Greater Cleveland nonprofit community during the ongoing pandemic. In total, $80,500 was awarded to six organizations and groups serving Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties. Since establishing the Fund nearly one year ago, the community has now provided more than $11.5 million to more than 200 frontline organizations during this unprecedented public health crisis.

The latest round of grant recipients includes:

  • ACE Mentor Program ($20,000): To provide PPE and basic needs support for program alumni from 10 schools across Greater Cleveland to help keep them on their collegiate pathway
  • Islamic Center of Cleveland ($40,000): To help the mosque continue to serve members of an underfunded community with basic needs assistance resulting from COVID-19
  • Kidney Foundation of Ohio, Inc. ($8,000): To provide PPE kits and vaccine outreach to clients in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties
  • Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless ($2,500): To provide bus passes for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Cleveland in order to increase vaccine access and to assist in following up on clinic visits, housing appointments and other essential needs
  • Partnership Schools ($5,000): To provide PPE for continued in-school learning for nearly 500 elementary school students at Archbishop Lyke and St. Thomas Aquinas in Cleveland
  • Strengthening Our Students (SOS) ($5,000): To provide PPE for students on Cleveland’s near east side who are participating in the organization’s educational and life skills programs

The Fund welcomes applications from nonprofits seeking support to address community needs in the areas of basic needs, housing, PPE, testing and vaccination access. The partners are especially interested in addressing emerging needs related to mental health and/or substance abuse services. Applicants are asked to demonstrate that the program or project will have a direct impact on reducing the spread of COVID-19 among our community’s most vulnerable populations.

Contributions to the second phase of the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund total more than $4.5 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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