Second round of Central Va. COVID-19 Response funding released

The Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund, a joint initiative of the nonprofit Community Foundation for a greater Richmond and the Emergency Management Alliance of Central Virginia, awarded its second round of grants this week, bringing the total amount awarded to more than $2 million and the number of regional organizations funded to 52.

Since the effort began in March, individuals, businesses and foundations have donated to the fund, which has raised more than $4.6 million. Only nonprofits and government organizations are eligible to receive grants from the fund.

“Demonstrated by a high level of partnership, this fund was built upon the belief that we can do more good when we come together,” said Sherrie Armstrong, CEO of the Community Foundation. “Whether it’s Maggie Walker Governor’s School students offering donation-based reading groups and trivia games to elementary students, or the Flying Squirrels sharing a portion of money raised from their 500 Bases of Love event, we see our community generously stepping up to help each other during this critical time.”

In its first round of grants, the fund distributed $1.1 million among 25 regional nonprofits and government organizations focused on food access, health care, shelter and support for seniors. The latest grants went to organizations working to expand food distribution in rural jurisdictions and supporting mental health services and housing. 

Some of the organizations funded during this round include Chesterfield Education Foundation, to purchase and distribute food to families who are at high risk of food insecurity; GoochlandCares, to purchase food, personal protective equipment and rental assistance for low-income residents and technology for staff to work remotely; and Re-Establish Richmond, to support the cost of translating COVID-19 health information to the primary languages spoken in refugee households.

The United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg also announced Friday that it will match $100,000 in donations made through its website to The Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund. The organization has been managing online donations for the fund, and on Tuesday reached the $100,000 milestone they had committed to in order to match the funding. 

“I am thankful for all of the donors who helped us meet the $100,000 milestone,” James Taylor, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg, said in a statement. “However, there is still a lot more work to be done. I encourage everyone to help us keep momentum going.”

An advisory committee consisting of philanthropic, business and public leaders reviews and distributes grants from the fund on a rolling basis. 

The Community Foundation manages more than 1,000 charitable funds and the Emergency Management Alliance of Central Virginia is a coalition of regional emergency management organizations and affiliated partners. 

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