Stories

Coronavirus Response Fund

April 1, 2020

 

The Coronavirus Response Fund is a coalition of philanthropy, government, and business partners who united to create a Response Fund to rapidly deploy resources to community-based organizations at the frontlines of the Coronavirus pandemic. Led by a partnership between United Way of the Bluegrass (UWBG) and Blue Grass Community Foundation (BGCF), the Coronavirus Response Fund provides flexible resources to organizations in our joint service region working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) and the economic consequences of this outbreak.

To date, the Coronavirus Response Fund has awarded more than $1,119,700 in charitable grants to fund organizations and programs in our joint service region with strong experience working to provide residents with access to food, prescriptions/healthcare, childcare, education, transportation, information and other basic needs. The fund is designed to complement the work of local public health, nonprofit, and government entities, and to expand local capacity to support individuals and families experiencing hardship because of the outbreak and related closures and disruptions.

 

HOW TO DONATE

  • Donate online: https://bgcf.givingfuel.com/coronavirus
  • Donate by check: Make checks payable to Blue Grass Community Foundation and indicate that your gift should be directed to the Coronavirus Response Fund. Mail checks to: Blue Grass Community Foundation Attn: Coronavirus Response Fund 499 E. High Street #112 Lexington, KY 40507
  • Donate using your Donor Advised Fund: When requesting the grant online, be sure to click the “Grant To a Fund at BGCF” option and then use the dropdown menu to select “Coronavirus Response Fund.”

BGCF can facilitate other types of donations, including donations from donor advised funds and stock transfers. For questions about making a charitable donation, please contact halee@bgcf.org.

If your business or company would like to join the coalition and provide a corporate gift, please email sfitzpatrick@bgcf.org.

GRANT FUNDING

To deploy resources rapidly, we will not be accepting requests for funding or posting a grant application. Instead, we are working together with community advisors and funders to identify organizations currently providing critical services that are aligned with the priorities of the Response Fund. Are you interested in how your donation will be spent, and which local nonprofits are receiving grants? Here is a list of grants that have been deployed to date (grants are made on a rolling basis and this list will be updated weekly):

WEEK 1

  • God’s Pantry Food Bank received a $40,000 grant to support food access and availability for all Fayette County clients, and for Senior Citizens in surrounding counties. The Food Bank will be supplying supplemental nutrition to clients in need by providing boxes that contain enough food for five days (for a family of 3).  In counties where pantries are still open, but distribution centers for seniors are closed, delivery service will focus on seniors.
  • The Urban League of Lexington received a $10,000 grant to support 120 senior housing units for low-income and budget-constrained seniors, and supply seniors with food, medical needs, household supplies, and other items that are necessary as they shelter in place.
  • Community Action Council received a $20,000 grant to provide non-food essentials to anyone in-need, including diapers, baby formula, feminine hygiene products, medical and cleaning supplies, and more.  Supplies will be provided to community members and homeless individuals in-need across Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison, Madison, Nicholas and Scott counties.
  • Harrison Memorial Hospital, a 501(c)(3) community health organization, received a $7,500 grant to expand testing for possible COVID-19 infection, and provide general medical assistance to those in-need, including access to prescription medication and medical supplies for low-income and vulnerable populations in its service area.
  • RadioLEX received a $5,000 grant to increase awareness and outreach regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. RadioLEX will serve as a general source of information for all listeners but will also focus outreach to Hispanic communities and other English Language Learners (ELLs) across its listening area.

WEEK 2

  • Childcare Council received a $13,000 grant to support childcare agencies who have opened their doors to accommodate the children of first responders and medical personnel.  The Council will provide round-the-clock administrative and logistical support to those childcare centers, including offering free training and support to childcare workers and staff across the region while the situation persists.
  • Mission Lexington received a $10,000 grant to provide prescription medications to low-income and budget-constrained individuals. Faith Pharmacy is providing these services to seniors, but can also serve other vulnerable populations as a result of added funding.
  • ITN Bluegrass received a $10,000 grant to provide ride and delivery services to vulnerable populations, particularly seniors.  Rides and delivery are now mainly focused on delivery of groceries and sundries, and rides to or delivery of medical equipment, supplies, and prescriptions.
  • Bluegrass Families First received a $5,000 grant to provide diapers, formula, wipes and household supplies to low-income families and single mothers.
  • Food Chain received a $15,000 grant to supply 1,000 meals per day to Fayette County children during spring break, when few meal options remain available to them.  Food Chain has brought together a host of partner agencies and businesses in order to accomplish this task, and will be able to distribute food to kids from low-income families at targeted sites across the city for the duration of spring break.

WEEK 3

  • God’s Pantry received a $15,000 grant to increase its capacity to serve those who are most affected by the pandemic. Funding will go toward the purchase of additional product to help the agency meet increasing demands, as they continue to be on the front lines of food distribution in central Kentucky.
  • Food Chain received a $10,000 grant to support ongoing supplementation of the FCPS meal distribution program and hot meal delivery to seniors and other vulnerable populations across Lexington. Food Chain has brought together a host of partner agencies and businesses to accomplish this task, and will be able to distribute 500 meals, 4 days per week to low-income families at targeted sites across the city.
  • Amen House received a $10,000 grant to serve Scott Countians in need of food, clothing and other basic necessities.
  • Frankfort Emergency Food Pantry received a $10,000 grant to provide emergency food for Franklin County residents in need.
  • Greenhouse17 received a $10,000 grant to support the care and safety of survivors of intimate partner abuse during this public health crisis.
  • Packin’ the Pantry received a $7,000 grant to support food access in Fayette and Jessamine counties.
  • The Red Cross Wheels program received a $10,000 grant to provide critical transportation services for our region’s most vulnerable residents. Wheels continues to take seniors and others where they need to go in emergency situations.
  • Kentucky Refugee Ministries received a $5,000 grant to provide critical health information to English Language Learner (ELL) residents across central Kentucky. KRM educates refugee and immigrant families about COVID-19 and is providing resources and updates in 18 languages.

WEEK 4

  • God’s Pantry received a $15,000 grant to increase its capacity to serve those who are most affected by the pandemic. Funding will go toward the purchase of additional product to help the agency meet increasing demands, as they continue to be on the front lines of food distribution in central Kentucky.
  • Food Chain received a $15,000 grant to support ongoing supplementation of the FCPS meal distribution program and hot meal delivery to seniors and other vulnerable populations across Lexington.

WEEK 5

  • Community Action Council received a $30,000 grant to support residents in Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison, and Nicholas counties with housing and utility assistance.
  • Red Cross Wheels received a $15,000 grant to provide critical emergency transportation services to seniors and other vulnerable populations. Wheels is also instrumental in assisting food service nonprofits to transport and distribute meals to food insecure residents, including students.
  • God’s Pantry received a grant for $10,000 to support the purchase of additional food and product to help the agency meet increasing demands on the frontlines of the pandemic.
  • The Urban League of Lexington received a $10,000 grant to assist low-income seniors with rent and utility assistance.
  • FoodChain received a grant of $10,000 to provide 500 prepared meals for low-income children, students, and families at targeted sites across Lexington, 4 days per week.
  • The Lee Initiative received a $6,000 grant to provide much needed relief to displaced food and restaurant workers. The funds will support a program that puts displaced employees to work preparing meals for those in-need, including meals for local healthcare workers.
  • Lexington Leadership Foundation received a $5,000 grant to provide East End residents with access to hot meals and other household necessities.
  • Mission Lexington received a $5,000 grant to provide prescription assistance to low-income and budget-constrained individuals. Mission Lexington’s Faith Pharmacy provides these services to seniors but will also serve other vulnerable individuals in need of assistance.
  • Frankfort Emergency Food Pantry received a $3,000 grant to respond to the escalation of need for emergency food for Franklin County residents.
  • Amen House received a $2,500 grant to meet increasing needs for Scott Countians in need of food, clothing and other basic needs.
  • Packin’ the Pantry received a $2,500 grant to meet increased demand for its food pantry serving Fayette and Jessamine Counties.
  • The Share Center received a $2,500 grant to provide West End residents in need with food and essential goods.
  • Gateway Helping Hands received a $2,500 grant to help secure food for distribution to Rowan County residents who are in need of assistance.
  • Sterling Food Coalition received a $2,500 grant to help provide food access, and support increasing needs, among residents of Montgomery County.
  • The Nest received a $5,000 grant to provide emergency products, including food, household goods, and other essentials, to Lexington women and children in need.
  • God’s Outreach received a $4,000 grant to provide food and nutrition assistance to Madison County residents who are in need of support.
  • Open Hands (Anderson) received a $2,500 grant to provide essential food and nutrition products to residents in need across Anderson Countians.
  • River of Life Food Pantry received a $2,500 grant to supply food and nutrition assistance to those in need across Bourbon County.
  • Clark County Community Services received a $2,500 grant to provide food to residents of Clark County who are experiencing food insecurity.
  • Food Pantry for Woodford County received a $2,500 grant to provide food to Woodford County residents in need of assistance.
  • First Baptist Winchester received a $2,500 grant to provide Clark County residents with food and nutrition support.

WEEK 6

  • YMCA of Central Kentucky received a $10,000 grant to support supply costs (food, healthcare, and sanitation supplies) associated with childcare services currently provided to healthcare and emergency personnel.
  • Step by Step received a $10,000 grant to support ongoing outreach efforts to young, single mothers (ages 12-24) during the pandemic, including bi-weekly delivery of basic needs items, household supplies and activity packs for children. The organization is also providing some direct financial assistance for mothers to support rent, utilities, cell phone and internet bill payments.
  • Jubilee Jobs received a $10,000 grant to fund the “JUST Feed Lexington” program to prepare and package 400 meals per day (M-F) for a three-week period. Meals will be delivered to shelters in the Lexington area that house individuals who are homeless, women fleeing domestic violence, human trafficking victims, and those in recovery programs.
  • Lexington Rescue Mission received a $10,000 grant to serve a rising number of homeless and low income individuals with basic needs including prepared meals, food bags, cleaning and hygiene supplies, daytime shelter, referrals to transitional housing, sleeping bags, blankets, clothing, transportation and optional case management.
  • Lighthouse Ministries received a $10,000 grant to support the organization’s Dining with Dignity effort which continues to provide two meals per day to low income and homeless individuals. The organization also distributes hygiene and personal care items to clients in-need.

Week 7

  • Bluegrass Council of the Blind received a $2,500 grant to continue supplemental food distribution to persons who are blind or have low vision.
  • Glean Kentucky received a $12,500 grant to support gleaning and distribution of produce and prepared meals to those with food insecurity through local collaborations, serving as a critical link between food waste and food insecurity.
  • Simon House received a $5000 grant to support the emergency shelter located at Frankfort High School to temporarily house women and men during the COVID-10 pandemic, and help provide additional resources and aid to its clients.
  • Blue Grass Farm Charities received a $5,000 grant to provide groceries and essential items, such as hygiene and baby products, to Central Kentucky thoroughbred industry workers and their families in Fayette, Bourbon, Clark Jessamine, Scott and Woodford counties.
  • Visiting Angel Ministries received a $2,500 grant to continue its mobile outreach to provide meals, clothing, blankets, tents, sanitary items, propane heathers and other essential items to the chronically homeless.
  • Mentors & Meals received a $2,600 grant to continue its dinner box program for Woodford County Middle School students and their families through August. In addition to providing hot meals twice a week while school is not in session, each Thursday, Mentors & Meals also delivers a bag of groceries and a recipe to prepare another meal at home.
  • Red Cross Wheels received a $15,000 grant to provide critical transportation services for  seniors and food service nonprofits distributing meals to food insecure residents, including students.
  • RadioLEX received a $5,000 grant to help RadioLEX increase awareness and outreach regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. RadioLEX will serve as a general source of information for all listeners but will also focus outreach to Hispanic communities and other English Language Learners (ELLs) across its listening area.

Week 8

  • Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Lexington received a $10,000 grant to provide assistance to those who are affected by the coronavirus pandemic through hunger relief and/or food access (with an emphasis on children who rely on school meals), access to child care, access to prescription medication, access to necessary transportation, access to basic needs and assistance with rent and utilities.
  • Community Response Coalition received a $10,000 grant to provide emergency financial support to immigrant clients and families who may not qualify for government assistance or other relief based on documented status, or the documented status of a spouse. Families will receive rent and utility assistance, as well as referrals to food, medical and mental health resources.
  • Kentucky Refugee Ministries received a $7,500 grant to support refugee and immigrant families with case management, rent and utility assistance, and emergency food and home supplies.
  • Common Good will receive a $5,000 grant to support youth and families with weekly food and basic needs including groceries, hygiene products and household supplies. Services support families in three under-resourced Lexington neighborhoods: North Limestone, Castlewood, and East End.
  • Amen House received a $5,000 grant to help provide food, clothing and other necessities to residents in Scott County.
  • Mission Lexington received a $5,000 grant to provide prescription assistance to low-income and budget-constrained individuals. Faith Pharmacy is providing these services to senior citizens and other vulnerable individuals in-need of assistance.
  • Jubilee Jobs received a $5,000 grant to provide 400 meals per day (M-F) for a two-week period. for shelters in the Lexington area that house individuals who are homeless, women fleeing domestic violence, human trafficking victims, and those in recovery programs.
  • Lexington Rescue Mission received a $5,000 grant to serve an increasing number of homeless and low-income individuals with basic needs including prepared meals and food, cleaning supplies and hygiene products, daytime shelter, referrals to transitional housing, sleeping bags and blankets, clothing, transportation and optional case management.
  • RadioLex received a $3,500 grant to broadcast valuable resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic in multiple languages. RadioLex is also collaborating with other organizations to produce, print and distribute critical information to non-English speaking members of the community, as well as business owners who need information related to reopening plans and safety guidelines.
  • Gateway Helping Hands received a $2,500 grant to distribute food to Rowan County residents who need assistance.
  • Sterling Food Coalition received a $2,500 grant to provide food access, and support increasing needs among residents of Montgomery County.

Week 9

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters Bluegrass received a $21,000 grant to support to the families of children they work with in Fayette, Montgomery, Madison and Jessamine counties. This funding will provide them with basic needs, food security, and rent/utility assistance.
  • God’s Outreach, Madison received a $15,000 grant to provide much needed food and nutrition assistance to Madison County residents.
  • LexCare received a $5,000 grant to support comprehensive services for select families in Lexington struggling with rent and payment of utility bills.

Week 10

  • Paris-Bourbon County YMCA received a $10,000 grant to support the expansion of the childcare center to allow emergency and essential workers to maintain childcare, and to purchase necessary materials including PPE and thermometers.
  • Jubilee Jobs received a $5,000 grant to help cover the expense of preparing and packaging 400+ meals per day (M-F) through the end of May. Meals will be delivered to shelters in the Lexington area that house individuals who are homeless, women fleeing domestic violence, human trafficking victims, and those in recovery programs.
  • One Parent Scholar House received a $5,000 grant to purchase supplies to maintain regular cleanings in facilities, meet basic needs for housed families, and provide classroom supplies for teachers and students in the Child Development Center.
  • First Baptist Winchester received a $2,500 grant to serve a growing number of Clark County residents in need of food and nutrition support.

Week 11

  • FoodChain received a $10,000 grant to provide prepared meals for low-income children, students and families at targeted sites across Lexington to bridge the gap between the end of the school year and the start of Fayette County Public Schools’ summer feeding program.
  • Nourish Lex received a $10,000 grant to provide prepared meals for low-income children, students and families at targeted sites across Lexington to bridge the gap between the end of the school year and the start of Fayette County Public Schools’ summer feeding program.

PHASE 2

Phase 2 of grant funding will focus on food and other basic needs.

Grants totaling $213,000 were awarded to the following organizations and programs providing food and nutrition support to residents in UWBG’s and BGCF’s joint service area:

  • Open Hands (Lawrenceburg) received a $5,000 grant.
  • River of Life (Paris) received a $5,000 grant.
  • First Baptist Winchester received a $5,000 grant.
  • Clark County Community Services received a $5,000 grant.
  • God’s Pantry (Fayette County) received a $25,000 grant.
  • GleanKY (Fayette County) received a $15,000 grant.
  • NourishLEX (Fayette County) received a $100,000 grant.
  • Frankfort Emergency Food Pantry received a $5,000 grant.
  • Living Hope (Harrison County) received a $3,000 grant.
  • Packin’ the Pantry (Jessamine County) received a $5,000 grant.
  • God’s Outreach (Madison County) received a $10,000 grant.
  • Sterling Food Coalition (Montgomery County) received a $5,000 grant.
  • Gateway Helping Hands (Rowan County) received a $5,000 grant.
  • Amen House (Scott County) received a $10,000 grant.
  • Mentors and Meals (Woodford County) received a $5,000 grant.
  • Food Pantry for Woodford County received a $5,000 grant.

Grants totaling $142,500 were awarded to the following organizations providing non-food related services:

  • Urban League (Fayette County) received a $20,000 grant to provide NTI support for students
  • Chrysalis House (Fayette County) received a $7,000 grant to provide NTI support for students
  • Paris/Bourbon YMCA received a $25,000 grant to provide NTI support for students
  • The Nest (Fayette) received a $10,000 grant to provide child care, basic needs, legal assistance and parenting classes
  • Community Action Council (Multiple counties) received a $30,000 grant to provide housing stabilization assistance
  • Common Good (Fayette) received a $18,000 grant to provide rent, utility and grocery assistance
  • Big Brothers/ Big Sisters (multiple counties) received a $10,000 grant to provide rent, utility and grocery assistance
  • Community Response Coalition (Fayette County) received a $10,500 grant to provide immigrant household COVID relief
  • Mentors & Meals (Woodford County) received a $7,000 grant to provide tutoring, mentoring and mental health support
  • Mentors & Meals Winchester (Clark County) received a $5,000 grant to provide NTI support

PHASE 3

  • Lexington Public Library Foundation received a $13,000 grant for the NTI Learning Lab at Village Branch Library offered in partnership with the YMCA of Central Kentucky
  • Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning received a $23,710 grant for the NTI Learning Lab offered in partnership with the YMCA of Central Kentucky
  • A Caring Place received a $5,000 grant for home delivery meal programming for low-income seniors
  • The Nourish Fund received a $15,000 grant for support of a city-wide coalition of feeding organizations, shifting to a delivery mode for vulnerable populations so they don’t need to pick up their meals

PHASE 4

  • The Nourish Fund received a $5,000 grant.
  • Mission Lexington (Fayette County) received a $5,000 grant.
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters (Fayette County) received a $20,000 grant for bill payment assistance for an estimated 130 families.
  • Bluegrass Council of the Blind (Fayette County) received a $5,000 grant for food delivery.
  • Liberty Place (Madison County) received a $2010 grant.
  • Gateway Helping Hands (Rowan County) received a $10,000 grant.
  • Urban League of Lexington received a $20,000 grant for NTI technology support.
  • Salvation Army of Frankfort received a $5,000 grant.
  • Emergency Food Pantry of Franklin County received a $5,000 grant.
  • Amen House (Scott County) received a $5,000 grant.

For questions regarding the Coronavirus Response Fund, and how grant funds will be deployed, please contact:

Barbara Fischer Director of Nonprofit Services Blue Grass Community Foundation bfischer@bgcf.org Jonathan Kohn Director of Community Impact United Way of the Bluegrass jonathan.kohn@uwbg.org

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Lauren Parsons Director of Strategic Initiatives & Communications Blue Grass Community Foundation lauren@bgcf.org  

FUNDERS

Thanks to the generosity of community and corporate donors, the Coronavirus response fund has raised and deployed more than $1.1 million to those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. A special thank you goes to the following donors at the $10,000+ level:

3M
Alltech Inc.
Alpenglow Foundation
Bechtel Group Foundation
Blue Grass Community Foundation
Coca-Cola
The Council of State Governments
CVS Health
Don Jacobs, Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Dupree & Company, Inc.
Footwork Shoes Inc. DBA Oneness
Frances Hollis Brain Foundation Fund
Fund for Greater Lexington at BGCF
Hinkle Family Foundation
The Humana Foundation, Inc.
Immanuel Baptist Church
Jenna and Matthew Mitchell Foundation at BGCF
John N. Browning Family Fund
Kentucky Bank
Kentucky for Kentucky LLC
Keystone Financial
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
LG&E and KU Foundation, Inc.
Salomon & Company
Sam Mitchell
Southland Christian Church
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky
Truist
United Way of the Bluegrass
Valvoline
Walmart Inc.
Wells Fargo

FAQ

I’m an individual who’s been affected by Coronavirus. Can this Fund help me? We understand many individuals and families have already been affected by the outbreak and more will continue to be affected. On behalf of the Fund’s partners, BGCF is working to move resources to community-based organizations that are directly supporting residents and families who are most affected by emerging health, economic, and social impacts.

While the Fund is not currently able to provide grants to individuals, it is funding community-based organizations that have the experience and history of providing people and families with services and support. We will work to update you on the organizations that have received grant funding. If you are looking for resources now, please consider contacting 211 for information about direct assistance organizations.

My organization is interested in resources from this Fund. Can we be considered? We understand the coronavirus outbreak is impacting nonprofits in many ways, including increased demand for services, lost revenue due to closures and cancelations, as well as other challenges. We are working closely with UWBG, local governments and community partners to ensure that the grants awarded meet the greatest needs in communities disproportionately impacted by coronavirus. To move resources quickly, we are not hosting a formal application process for the Fund. You may contact Barbara Fischer, BGCF Director of Nonprofit Services (bfischer@bgcf.org) or Jonathan Kohn, UWBG Director of Community Impact (jonathan.kohn@uwbg.org) to make sure we are aware of your needs and can keep them in mind as the granting process progresses and needs become more clear.

I want to donate. Can I restrict my funding to a prioritized grantee? To ensure we move resources as efficiently as possible and respond to needs of communities most impacted, we are not able to restrict donations at this time. The Coronavirus Response Fund was created in hopes of providing a way to coordinate as many resources as possible across our service area.

Should I give to this Fund instead of making other donations? This Fund was not created to be the only vehicle for getting needed resources into the community, but to help facilitate getting more targeted resources into the community. This is a critical time for so many, including the nonprofit organizations who’ve benefited from your giving in the past, as well as those who’ve had to cancel their annual fundraising events or depend heavily on public gatherings. Please continue to give to organizations you regularly support, and those that need your help at this crucial time. Now is the time to double down for our community.

Is there a geographic area of focus for the Fund? The Coronavirus Response Fund will prioritize community-based organizations within our defined service areas of Central and Appalachia Kentucky. We are doing this with a recognition that many nonprofits serve workers and residents in our neighboring counties.

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