COVID-19 community response funds begin to flow to nonprofit groups feeling effects of crisis
An anonymous $500,000 donation to the Manatee Community Foundation in late March to establish the COVID-19 Community Response Fund is beginning to bear fruit as the agency announced Thursday the first round of beneficiaries.
More than $120,000 was awarded to agencies that provide essential basic needs such as food, housing, virtual therapy for individuals with disabilities, protective equipment and hospice care.
Grants distributed include:
- $25,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County to provide free childcare for local essential healthcare workers and first responders.
- $10,000 to MCR Health Services to fund childcare expenses for health workers.
- $20,000 to Tidewell Hospice for additional costs incurred for patient care during COVID-19.
- $15,000 to Giving Alliance of Myakka City to support Manatee County Fire Chiefs and Manatee County EMS with protective supplies.
- $20,000 to Easterseals of Southwest Florida for remote therapy for individuals with disabilities.
- $500 to Step Up Suncoast for staff equipment to remotely assistance clients.
- $6,000 to Our Daily Bread for to-go containers and increased staffing for two months of prepared food service for those in need.
- $5,000 to Stillpoint Mission for emergency food and toiletry supplies.
- $1,000 to Gulfcoast Legal Services for technology to assist low income clients with legal support.
- $20,160 to Harvest House in Bradenton for housing expenses for residents in recovery who lost their jobs or are unable to secure jobs during COVID-19.
MCF Executive Director Susie Bowie praised the area’s nonprofits, “for the quick work and quality work of our nonprofit partners to adapt to a rapidly changing situation.”
Bowie said the donors to this critical response fund are making a big impact in the community.
“The generous donors who have made tax-deductible gifts to the COVID-19 Fund are giving us the opportunity to support them so that those who need help can receive it quickly,” she said. “The Manatee Matches Giving Circle’s contribution of $100,000 toward matching support enabled us to increase the original $500,000 gift from the anonymous donor—meaning more is possible for our neighbors in need.”
Additionally, MCF awarded nearly $60,000 in grants to Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee during the month of March from donor advised funds.
For more information about contributing to the Manatee County COVID-19 Community Response Fund, visit ManateeCF.org or call 941-747-7765.
This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 8:13 AM.