A group of local and national foundations have announced strategies to meet emerging community needs linked to the COVID-19 crisis. The initial funders include the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, DMC Foundation, 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,” says 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.”
The group has first established a fund to focus on urgent and emerging health needs, and 14 grants totaling $700,000 were immediately awarded as follows:
- $300,000 to the city of Detroit for expanded access to COVID-19 testing with priority for first responders and health care personnel.
- $100,000 for Wayne State University to test sheltered and symptomatic individuals experiencing homelessness for COVID-19.
- $100,000 for the Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Detroit health departments 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 – the 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 process. Those interested in supporting the needs can find more information here or by calling the Community Foundation at (313) 961-6675.