As the impacts of COVID-19 continue to evolve across our community, local nonprofits are responding to meet the needs of people who are most affected. The Northern Colorado COVID-19 Response Fund is answering the call with urgent financial support for these organizations.
The Northern Colorado COVID-19 Response Fund announces a grant distribution of $200,125 to 15 human service groups. These groups are active across Larimer County, including Allenspark, Berthoud, Drake, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Glen Haven, Loveland, Wellington, and unincorporated areas of the county.
Specifically, these organizations are targeting people in our community who are faced with food insecurity, childcare needs, housing, or other disruptions caused by the pandemic. A second round of grants will be disbursed in mid-April.
“We have tried to focus these grants to help people in our communities who are the most vulnerable and the most at risk due to this crisis,” said Ray Caraway, president of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado. “This includes the elderly, the homeless, healthcare providers, and first responders.”
Recipients for the first grant cycle include:
Aspire 3D, Boys & Girls Club of Larimer County, Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park, Crossroads Safehouse, The Family Center–La Familia, Food Bank of Larimer County, The Genesis Project of Fort Collins, Homeward Alliance–Aztlan Center, House of Neighborly Service, Loveland Rotary KidsPak, Meals on Wheels for Fort Collins, Neighbor to Neighbor, The Nappie Project, Salud Family Health Center, UC Health-Family Medicine Center.
Created as a partnership between the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado and the United Way of Larimer County, the Northern Colorado COVID-19 Response Fund was designed as a fast-acting source of aid in the wake of this public health emergency. The Response Fund has raised over $400,000, but the need is much greater. For the first round of grants, the Fund received 40 applications from groups asking for nearly $800,000.
The application deadline for nonprofits to apply for the next grant cycle is April 9. Grants are reviewed by volunteers from Estes Park, Loveland, and Fort Collins, as well as staff members from the United Way of Larimer County and the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado. If you are able, the best way to help is to donate securely online: https://www.nocofoundation.org/covid-19.
Please considering sending gifts over $1,000 directly to the Foundation or the United Way to avoid processing fees. Neither organization will charge an administrative fee for this fund.
Checks may be payable to the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado with “Northern Colorado COVID-19 Response Fund” in the memo line, mailed to the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, 4745 Wheaton Dr, Fort Collins, CO 80525.
United Way of Larimer County: To donate text LARIMERUNITED to 41444, make an online donation at https://impact.uwaylc.org/Corona, or send checks to United Way of Larimer County, 525 W. Oak Street Fort Collins, CO 80521 with COVID-19 in the subject line. To learn more about community resources & volunteer opportunities, please visit www.uwaylc.org.
The Community Foundation and the United Way are a 501(c)(3) public charities so gifts to any of our funds provide donors with the maximum tax deductions allowed by law.
Nonprofit organizations can visit nocofoundation.org/covid-19 for grantmaking guidelines and application instructions.