April 06, 2020

Round One of Response Fund Grants: Press Release

The Foundation for Delaware County announced the first round of grants awarded from the Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund, created last month by the community foundation in response to the current pandemic crisis. The grants come as the foundation crossed the $300,000 fundraising mark, including donations of as little as $10 contributed to help Delaware County nonprofits at the front lines supporting vulnerable residents who are bearing the greatest impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first wave of grants, totaling $73,655, was distributed to 11 nonprofits, each of which will receive a support grant to address emergency needs outlined in their proposals to the foundation. Grants are being awarded on a rolling basis during the coronavirus crisis, as donations continue to roll in. To date, the Response Fund has received more than 40 requests for funding; eligible nonprofits need only apply once.

“The Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund is a rapid response solution to provide resources to frontline organizations that are delivering emergency assistance, such as food security, healthcare, and childcare for the most vulnerable residents in this unprecedented crises,” said Mike Magnavita, Chair of the Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund and President of the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union. “The selected organizations are deeply trusted organizations in their communities. They inspire us – and we know they are just a sampling of the work we can and must support moving forward.”

Joanne Craig, Vice President for Programs at the foundation, adds “The needs in the community are great and growing much larger than the total amount of the Response Fund now. The scope of this crisis will require aid from many different public and philanthropic sources. The foundation continues to encourage everyone to give if they are able – no gift is too small. Now is the time to double down for our community.”

Support for the Response Fund has climbed over $300,000, including an initial grant of $100,000 from the foundation. Foundation staff and an advisory committee chaired by Magnavita are conducting the ongoing review of applications and selections.

According to Craig, “This first group of grantees provides a diversity of leadership, strategy and experience that represents the heart and soul of the Delaware County nonprofit community. These organizations are doing remarkable work in the county. They are trusted organizations that can deliver immediate services during this crisis to meet the basic needs of vulnerable residents with food, childcare services and essential supplies.”

The first grantees from the COVID-19 Response Fund include:

Boys and Girls Club of Chester: $10,155 to provide gift cards to grocery stores for food-insecure families served by the club and affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County: $10,000 to support the continuation of services, including telephone crisis counseling, to survivors of domestic violence.

Drexel Neumann Academy: $10,000 to provide gift cards to grocery stores for food-insecure families in Chester affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greater Philadelphia YMCA: $5,000 to aid the Rocky Run and Haverford YMCA Early Learning Centers in providing childcare and school age programming to healthcare professionals’ children while they are at work.

Individuals Aiding in Emergency Foundation: $5,000 to partner with Delaware County Emergency Services and collect essential products needed such as face masks (N95), gloves, disinfectant cleaning supplies, CARE Kits that include basic hygiene supplies.

Mitzvah Circle: $4,500 to purchase diapers, wipes and soap for families living at or below the poverty level and families struggling with serious medical conditions.

Nationalities Service Center: $5,000 to provide financial assistance for immigrants who have lost their homes, income, and/or employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philabundance: $5,000 to prepare pre-assembled meal boxes, that can each provide up to four meals for a family of four, distributed with minimal contact to more than a dozen member agencies in Delaware County.

Salvation Army: $10,000 to distribute food boxes and essential supplies such as sanitizers, utensils, masks, and more to community members.

Valley Youth House: $4,000 to purchase essential items for necessities including food, clothing, cleaning supplies, and other household items for youth in the juvenile justice and foster care systems, and youth experiencing homelessness.

Women’s Resource Center of the Delaware Valley: $5,000 to sustain WRC’s Resource Coordination Counseling Services and support an Emergency Assistance Fund to address immediate needs such as food and household supplies not available through local pantries and health-related needs.

The Foundation for Delaware County asks everyone to consider making a donation today – or pledge a monthly recurring donation – to support organizations that are vital to Delaware County.

The foundation is grateful to all of the donors to the Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund, including these donors each of whom gave at the $5,000 level or more:

  • Bank of America
  • Barra Foundation
  • Boggs Family Fund
  • Crozer Keystone Health System
  • Carol and Daniel DuPont, DO
  • Ed and Ellen Hanway
  • Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union
  • Gallagher
  • Mike and Sofia Magnavita
  • PECO
  • PFM
  • Joan Richards
  • Scholler Foundation
  • Nathan Speare Foundation
  • Lynne Steuerle Fund
  • Kate and Brian Zidek