$627,000 in Grants Handed Out for COVID-19 Emergency Response
San Francisco, CA. The San Francisco Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund has offered a total of $627,000 in grants since it was launched in March.
The Emergency Response Fund makes grants of $5,000-$25,000 to nonprofit organizations that are serving: low-wage workers most affected by the crisis; residents who are homeless or in danger of losing their homes; people who may not be able to get food during this time; and communities who have been targeted because of their race as a result of hysteria around the pandemic.
The fund was launched on March 17th to provide quick funding to nonprofit organizations in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, and San Mateo counties.
An essential component of the fund is to get resources to the community quickly.
“Two areas that are particularly challenging right now are access to food and the need to protect unhoused people,” said Fred Blackwell, CEO of the San Francisco Foundation. “We are doing what we can to help fill the gaps and to move as quickly as humanly possible to get support out into the community.”
“We know that so much more help is needed,” said Elena Chávez Quezada, Vice President for Programs. “At the current rate of support, we are likely to run out of funding soon, so we are asking donors, corporations, and anyone who can help to do what they can.”
“We have been able to provide emergency funds to almost a hundred organizations in just a few weeks,” said Ruben Orduña, the foundation’s Chief of Philanthropy, who oversees the foundation’s fundraising activities. “We are especially grateful to our donors, who are providing essential resources at a time of incredible need. This includes corporations, foundations, fund holders at the foundation, and individuals who are eager to support members of the community who are most in need. Their continued support is so valuable and so welcome.”
To donate to the fund or apply for emergency funding, visit www.sff.org.
As Bay Area nonprofits rise to the challenge of meeting new and dramatically increased needs, we know that many are also struggling to keep their doors open and services running during this tumultuous time. San Francisco Foundation is working to support our grantees through this unprecedented time and to provide services and resources that all Bay Area nonprofits can use.
On this page, you’ll find important information on:
- how we’re removing restrictions and requirements on grants,
- technical assistance for nonprofits adapting to working online, and
- resources for navigating the federal CARES Act and the provisions that impact nonprofits.
Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
Nonprofits and community organizations throughout the Bay Area are moving quickly to protect their staff, stabilize their organizations, and deepen support for our most vulnerable communities. San Francisco Foundation is working with trusted providers to help Bay Area nonprofits adapt and strengthen their financial management, operations, and program strategies along with holistic wellness offerings for nonprofit staff.
Finance Practices and Tools in the Wake of COVID-19
The delivery of nonprofit programs in our community has and will continue to shift as organizations adapt to the current reality. These programmatic shifts coupled with uncertainty in revenue require nonprofits to make difficult decisions in a changing environment. SFF is partnering with Financial Management Associates (FMA) and Tipping Point Community to offer webinars and online tools for nonprofit organizations.
Prácticas y herramientas financieras a raíz del COVID-19
Los programas y servicios ofrecidos por las organizaciones comunitarias han cambiado y seguirán cambiando a medida que las organizaciones se adapten a la realidad actual. Estos cambios programáticos junto con la incertidumbre de los ingresos requieren que las organizaciones tomen decisiones difíciles en un ambiente cambiante. SFF se está asociando con Financial Management Associates (FMA) para ofrecer una serie de seminarios web de 3 partes para organizaciones comunitarias pequeñas y medianas del Área de la Bahía. Esta serie ayudará a los líderes de las organizaciones comunitarias a entender su situación financiera actual, a planificar posibles escenarios, y proyectar las necesidades económicas. Aprender más
Support for Virtual Fundraising and Remote Work
SFF supports Catchafire, an online tool that connects nonprofits with professionals who want to donate their skills, pro bono. Catchafire is currently offering free weekly webinars for all nonprofit and community organizations on building team culture while working virtually, fundraising in the time of COVID-19, and developing virtual fundraising events. Plus, Bay Area nonprofits can share ideas and access Catchafire experts on their shared Slack channel.
See all of Catchafire’s COVID-19 resources and request access to the shared Slack channel.
Do you have skills you can share with local nonprofit organizations during this time? Become a Catchafire volunteer!
