First Grants Awarded from COVID-19 Response Initiative

Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation have awarded the first grants from their COVID-19 Response Initiative. The foundations have issued 11 grants totaling more than $220,000 to relieve strain on key health and human-service organizations that are aiding residents hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic. Services supported include emergency childcare for first responders, rental assistance for families recovering from homelessness, and virtual healthcare for high-risk patients.

“Right now, we are seeing unemployment spike as thousands of hard-working, low-income residents lose their jobs and face losing their homes,” said Mark Pritchett, president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “Our first responders and healthcare workers and their families are straining under the pressure of this pandemic. Our initiative aims to be both nimble and strategic, easing pressures now while also weaving a stronger safety net for the more systemic issues our region will face.”

Pritchett noted that the foundations modified their grant processes so staff can more quickly receive, review, and assess funding requests. The ability to turn around grants quickly, sometimes in less than 24 hours, enables them to meet needs in real time.

Read the full press release and 11 grant announcements here.