Announcing the MontCoPA COVID-19 Response Fund
In coordination with our partners, HealthSpark Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of the MontCoPA COVID-19 Response Fund. This Fund will provide emergency general operating support to social safety net organizations serving Montgomery County residents impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Montgomery County has experienced one of the highest rates of coronavirus transmission in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Preventive community health measures, such as the closure of schools and non-essential businesses and shelter-in-place protocols, have created an immediate and significant impact on individuals and families across the county. As schools close and employees stay home with reduced or no pay, families are left struggling to pay for food, rent, utilities, student loans, and other basic necessities. More individuals are expected to reach out to local safety net providers for support with these basic needs. In turn, safety net providers- which themselves are impacted by office closures, loss of planned funding events, staff reductions, and other measures- may be struggling to respond, meet the demand for services, and keep staff and clients safe.
The MontCoPA COVID-19 Response Fund is a novel partnership between local philanthropy, county government, concerned citizens, and safety net providers to offer immediate relief to safety net organizations serving vulnerable populations. The Fund's Founding Partners are HealthSpark Foundation; VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn; BLBB Charitable; AmerisourceBergen Foundation; Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation; Genuardi Family Foundation; Montgomery County Foundation, Inc.; the County of Montgomery, Pennsylvania; Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia; TriCounty Community Network; Bucks-Mont Collaborative; and the Interagency Council of Norristown.
This collaborative funding model builds from HealthSpark's experience as a founding member of the Your Way Home Initiative Fund, a pooled funding model supporting homeless services in Montgomery County. This model allows grantee organizations to apply to a single fund for support, rather than submitting multiple applications to each potential funder. As well, it allows for greater philanthropic impact on key issues facing the county, since funders can leverage their own dollars with that of peers in the region.
The MontCoPA COVID-19 Response Fund will provide general operating support to registered nonprofit organizations during this time of crisis. Grants will be awarded quickly and on a rolling basis, while funds are available, in order to provide maximum flexibility and responsiveness.
Individuals and businesses who want to support local relief efforts are encouraged to donate directly to the MontCoPA COVID-19 Response Fund. Donations can be made online here.
To learn more or apply for grant funds, please visit the Montgomery County Foundation, Inc. website here.