A group of foundations announced strategies to meet targeted emerging community needs during the COVID-19 crisis. The initial funders are the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the DMC Foundation, the Facebook Community Fund, and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
“To complement the work of other efforts, address identified needs as they emerge and provide support to area nonprofits so they can withstand this crisis, we are establishing funds to focus on unmet needs,” said Mariam Noland, President of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. “In full participation with our foundation partners, we are making grants to provide support for targeted community needs arising from this crisis.”
As its first action, a fund has been established to focus on urgent and emerging health needs. As part of the launch, fourteen grants totaling $700,000 dollars are immediately being awarded as follows:
- $300,000 to the City of Detroit for expanded access to COVID-19 testing with priority for first responders and healthcare personnel.
- $100,000 for Wayne State University to test sheltered and symptomatic individuals experiencing homelessness for COVID-19.
- $100,000 for four area health departments – Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Detroit to increase their capacity to provide support during the COVID-19 crisis.
- $100,000 to four area community health clinics – Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic, Central City Integrated Health, Covenant Community Care, and Honor Community Health for support for the care of community members disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
- $100,000 to four community organizations – Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Area Agency on
Aging 1B, Senior Alliance, Inc., and Universal Dementia for outreach and support to older adults and their caregivers.
Additional grants will be made as fundraising continues throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis. Donors who are interested in supporting this and other evolving needs are encouraged to do so at cfsem.org/covid19