Responding to COVID-19: Foundations Developing Emergency Funds
The pandemic is having a disproportionate impact on LGBTQ+ communities and other historically marginalized communities. In response to COVID-19, many US-based public and private foundations have developed emergency funds for 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving LGBTQ people and those most vulnerable to the coronavirus.
Here are some funding resources available, which we’ll continue to update weekly. If you know of a resource we should include, please share it with us, so we can disseminate it.
LGBTQ-FOCUSED:
Funders for LGBTQ Issues have put together a list of resources and information for funders seeking to address the unique needs of LGBTQ communities in the COVID-19 pandemic. Some LGBTQ-specific grant-making opportunities include:
Horizons Foundation’s LGBTQ COVID-19 Response Emergency Fund will be distributing $200,000 in immediate emergency grants to Bay Area LGBTQ organizations to address COVID-19.
Stonewall Community Foundation is making special grants to address present community needs in NYC. These range from capacity grants from administrative telework and specialized sanitation, to program expansion grants for virtual services at LGBTQ senior centers and for mobile meals for the homeless.
TRANS COMMUNITIES:
Borealis Philanthropy has committed to developing rapid response funding opportunities dedicated to supporting trans communities, in the coming days.
Groundswell’s Rapid Response Fund provides fast funding to grassroots organizations led by women of color, trans people of color, and low-income women and trans people in critical, but unexpected, fights to protect and advance reproductive and social justice. They’ve broadened their Rapid Response Fund criteria to support organizing groups to respond to the immediate needs of their communities.
GEOGRAPHIC-BASED:
Giving Compass and National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP) compiled a list of vetted funds, listed by geography, that are addressing immediate and long-term needs stemming from the COVID-19 crisis.
Candid is compiling a list of funds specifically established in the wake of coronavirus. Sorted by state, the list focuses on funds hosted at U.S.-based foundations that serve nonprofits.
POC-FOCUSED:
Groundswell’s Rapid Response Fund (mentioned above).
Decolonizing Wealth Project, in partnership with Native Americans in Philanthropy and the National Urban Indian Family Coalition, has launched a rapid response fund to provide emergency support for the most vulnerable Native American families and communities impacted by COVID-19.
INDIVIDUALS/ARTISTS/FREELANCERS/SEX WORKERS:
From artists to sex workers, from food assistance to housing, from east coast to west, here's a list of 43 mutual-aid efforts to combat the crushing pandemic.
Emergency financial resources for nonprofits, individuals, artists, and small businesses.