The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region has activated The Community Relief Fund with an initial allocation of $55,000. The Community Relief Fund was established in October 2019 to prepare for any possible future disaster threat to our community. When the significant impact of the worldwide coronavirus crisis in our community became clear, especially for vulnerable people, the Board of Governors directed foundation staff to activate the Community Relief Fund, secure funding and assess needs in our community.
Grants from The Community Relief Fund will support organizations in Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, Stafford and the City of Fredericksburg. The foundation is planning to deliver response recovery funding through a multi-phased approach, beginning with immediate crisis needs.
The Community Foundation’s goal is to work collaboratively with the nonprofit, government, philanthropic and private sectors to accelerate recovery for a thriving, resilient and even stronger Rappahannock River region.
The Community Foundation’s Board of Governors seeded the Community Relief Fund with $50,000 from the foundation’s board-directed, unrestricted Community Fund. An anonymous donor has already generously contributed an additional $5,000. The Community Foundation is actively seeking additional donations to support this effort across the community.
Community foundations across the country are uniquely positioned to lead disaster philanthropy. The community foundation model builds long-term networks of donors and nonprofits. The field has an excellent reputation and track record for thoughtful and strategic community philanthropy and inclusive governance. Community foundations are leaders in disaster philanthropy with recent examples including Charlottesville Area Community Foundation’s Heal Charlottesville Fund in response to the 2017 racial riot and Greater Houston Community Foundation’s Imelda Assistance Fund in response to devastating flooding.
“We are already seeing a powerful generosity response in our community,” said foundation Programs Manager Ali Thomas. “The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly evolving and nonprofits are rallying to provide essential services to those most affected by the crisis. The Community Relief Fund is here to support our community-based organizations doing just that.”
The Community Foundation urges everyone to include regional nonprofits in your crisis response giving by making a donation to the Community Relief Fund or by giving to them directly. Contact us with any questions.Visit www.cfrrr.org/covid-19-response or contact foundation staff at [email protected] for more information.
The Community Foundation asks area nonprofit organizations to act now by completing the local needs assessment available on the foundation’s website www.cfrrr.org/covid-19-response. Grant distribution plans – application forms and processes, timeline and grant eligibility criteria – are in development. The Community Foundation will keep our community, donors and nonprofit organizations informed. The foundation’s commitment now and moving forward is to support our community as efficiently and effectively as possible.
In the event that donations exceed the need for COVID-19 pandemic response support in our community, funds will remain invested in The Community Relief Fund for any future disaster affecting our community.
The Community Foundation can accept gifts of cash or check. You can send your donations to the Community Relief Fund, PO BOX 208, Fredericksburg, VA 22404 or make your donation online at cfrrr.org. For more information, please visit our website www.cfrrr.org or contact our office at [email protected].
