COVID-19: Midlands Community Response Fund

The Midlands Community Response Fund was established in March 2020 to provide local relief, recovery, and rebuilding in response to a community-wide crisis or disaster. Grants from this fund will support nonprofits in the Community Foundation’s 11-county service area. The need is great. Donations to the Midlands Community Response Fund are being accepted and will help continue the work of serving those impacted by disasters that hit our region.

DONATE TO THE MIDLANDS COMMUNITY RESPONSE FUND

Funding Requests

The Midlands Community Response Fund will support nonprofits in our 11-county region that are providing direct services in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Initial funding will prioritize organizations that are working with populations disproportionately impacted by this crisis, including:

• Senior citizens
• Residents without health insurance and/or access to paid sick leave
• Part-time and/or seasonal workers (including hospitality and service industry workers)
• Individuals experiencing homelessness
• Residents with limited English language proficiency
• Healthcare workers

Organizations may request up to $10,000.

The Application

The online application will require your organization to describe:

• COVID-19 response efforts to be implemented
• Project objectives
• Geographic area(s) served
• Number of families/individuals to be served
• How the families/individuals served will be chosen
• Project partners
• Total project budget
• Requested grant amount
• Federal, state, local and private funds already applied for and/or received to address COVID-19

What Will Not Be Funded

• Projects that are not directly associated with COVID-19 relief or recovery efforts
• Projects for populations outside the Community Foundation’s 11-county service area
• Projects for general or low-priority populations
• Fundraising projects
• Endowment development or capital campaigns
• Sponsorships
• Individuals seeking assistance

Eligible Geographic Areas

Applications for assistance will be limited to organizations with a physical location and staff in Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter.

Application Requirements

An organization must:

• Be classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3), nonprofit entity.
• Be based within or serve the areas affected by the disaster(s)
• Complete an online application
• Provide a detailed project budget

Additional Notes

• An organization may request up to $10,000.
• Central Carolina Community Foundation intends to release 100% of funds awarded to each successful applicant at the beginning of the project period.
• The project period is six months.
• Organizations receiving a Midlands Community Response Fund grant are eligible to re-apply for funding after their project ends.

How to Apply

The Midlands Community Response Fund is not currently accepting applications.

Review Process

The review committee will consist of members of the Community Foundation Board of Trustees and based on input from state, regional, and local philanthropy partners.

Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application is currently closed.  All applicants will receive communication regarding the status of their proposal shortly. Declinations will be sent via email. All organizations receiving an award will have six months to expense grant funds.

Information for Grant Recipients

If your nonprofit received a grant from the Midlands Community Response Fund, please use the link below to submit your grant report

SUBMIT GRANT REPORT

Questions may be directed to Cortney Bailey at [email protected].