Updated Information on the Greater New Haven COVID-19 Community Fund

NEW HAVEN, CT -- We write to give you updated information about the Greater New Haven COVID-19 Community Fund announced last week in partnership with United Way of Greater New Haven and other news of The Community Foundation’s response to this crisis.

• The Community Foundation will make grants from the Greater New Haven COVID-19 Community Fund in partnership with United Way of Greater New Haven. Together we will proactively identify potential grant recipients, solicit guidance on potential recipients from community advisors, and recommend final awards. The initial prioritization is for healthcare and basic human needs agencies.
• In order to move resources quickly and not further burden organizations on the frontlines of the pandemic, we are not hosting a formal application process at this time. Funds will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs in subsequent funding phases. The Fund expects to make an initial round of grants the first week of April. We are reviewing community needs on an ongoing basis and will shift priorities as needed.
• The Community Foundation and United Way of Greater New Haven are reaching out to community donors to support the Greater New Haven COVID-19 Community Fund and to give to nonprofits directly. To give to the fund, please go to www.cfgnh.org/covid19fund. You can make a gift to nonprofits important to you directly through their websites or through giveGreater.org®.
• Because of the current nature of remote working, please make your gift online with credit cards. Please do not send checks because we are not able to process them until the state emergency order ends. For more information and ways to give, including how to make your gift directly from your bank account, please email either Linda Estacion, Director of Donor Services, or Liana Garcia, Director of Gift Planning. You may also refer to https://www.cfgnh.org/IncreasingGiving/GiveToday.aspx
• 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 as we gain greater awareness of the depth and scale of the long-term ramifications of the outbreak. As I mentioned previously, you can make a gift to nonprofits important to you directly through their websites or through giveGreater.org®.
• The Foundation is proceeding with The Great Give® 2020 with the revised theme:  “Coming Together While We’re Apart.” Details about the adjustments being made to this annual community-wide giving event will be coming soon.
• The Foundation is accelerating $1.1 million in current multiyear grant payments that under normal circumstances would not be made until the fall of 2020 or later. These payments will be made on March 27, 2020.
• The Foundation is also working with the Connecticut Council of Philanthropy, other Connecticut-based community foundations and a group brought together by Governor Lamont to help coordinate charitable projects with statewide impact.
• To learn more, please see this FAQ page on our website, which answers many common questions we are hearing from the community.

To contact us:

• Inquiries about the Fund and general questions can be directed to COVID19@cfgnh.org or ContactUs@cfgnh.org.
• To share information about your organization’s need for volunteers or in-kind donations, please see United Way’s website, https://uwgnh.org/community-needs/ and enter your organization’s needs.
• For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact The Community Foundation’s Director of Communications, Patricia Bogie.
• To make a donation, please contact The Community Foundation’s Director of Donor Services, Linda Estacion.
• To inquire about your organization fund, please contact The Community Foundation’s Senior VP for Investments, CFO and Chief Compliance Officer, A.F. Drew Alden.

With wishes for your and your family’s health and safety,

William W. Ginsberg
President & CEO
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven