COVID-19: Our Response
The Community Foundation of Dunn County and the United Way of Dunn County are accepting requests for funding from the Dunn County COVID-19 Response Fund to address the critical needs within the county as they relate to the unexpected effects of COVID-19. Donations are currently being accepted and are being deployed to charitable organizations.
This response fund has been established to direct financial support to charitable organizations currently working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic consequences of the outbreak and its related preventative measures. The fund is designed to compliment the work of public health officials and expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak and subsequent closures as efficiently as possible.
These rolling response grants will address:
- Immediate needs of economically vulnerable populations caused by closures and cancellations related to COVID-19
- Increased demand for medical information and support
The Community Foundation of Dunn County will administer grants in partnership with the United Way of Dunn County. Together we are proactively identifying potential grant recipients, soliciting guidance on potential recipients from community advisors, reviewing grant applications, and recommending final awards. Funds are actively being released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues through the recovery phases of the crisis.
HOW TO INQUIRE ABOUT FUNDING
If your charitable organization is in need of funding that is not being addressed by other resources, you may consider submitting an Inquiry Form for needs related to COVID-19. Currently requests from $1,000 to $5,000 will be considered. Inquiries will be reviewed on a rolling basis, as funds remain available. Please follow the link below to submit an inquiry.
CONTACT US
Questions and inquiries about making requests to the fund can be directed to Samantha Phillipps, Program Officer at 715-231-0344 or via email at grants@cfdunncounty.org.
Donors, including corporations and small businesses, with the means to make a significant investment and who are seeking a coordinated effort to address short-term needs and longer-term recovery across these communities, please contact Georgina Tegart, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Dunn County at gtegart@cfdunncounty.org or 715-232-8019 for further discussion.
COVID-19 RESPONSE GRANT RECIPIENTS:
DUNN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY: $2,000
To support the mission of the organization in caring
for companion animals which are stray or abandoned
STEPPING STONES OF DUNN COUNTY: $10,000
To provide hotel stays and rental assistance to respond
to increased demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
MENOMONIE AREA SENIOR CENTER: $1,000
To purchase safety supplies needed in order to comply
with safe gathering requirements upon reopening.
FAQs
I’m an individual who’s been affected by COVID-19. Can this Fund help me?
We understand many individuals and families have been affected by the current crisis. We are working to move resources to community-based organizations that are directly supporting local residents and families who are most affected by emerging health, economic, and social impacts.
While the Fund is not able to provide grants to individuals, we will be funding community-based organizations that have experience and history of providing people and families with services and support.
My organization is interested in resources from this Fund. Can we
be considered?
We understand the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting nonprofits in many ways, including increased demand for their services as well as other challenges. We are working closely with our local United Way to ensure that the grants awarded meet the greatest needs in communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Charitable organizations who serve Dunn and Pepin Counties are eligible to apply.
I want to donate. Can I restrict my funding to a prioritized grantee?
To ensure we move resources as efficiently as possible and respond to needs of communities most impacted, we are not considering restricted donations at this time.
Should I give to this Fund instead of making other donations?
This Fund was not created to be the only vehicle resourcing critical community activities during this crisis. Rather it is working to facilitate getting more targeted resources into the community where it’s needed most. If the COVID-19 Response Fund priorities align with your values, please consider making a donation. However, this is a critical time for so many, including the nonprofit organizations who’ve benefited from your giving in the past, as well as those who’ve had to cancel their annual fundraising events or depend heavily on public gatherings. Please continue to give to organizations you regularly support, and those that need your help at this crucial time. Now is the time to double down for our community as we have greater awareness of the depth and scale of the long-term ramifications of the outbreak.
What will NOT be funded through the COVID-19 Response Grant Fund?
We anticipate multiple phases of funding to address both the urgent needs and the longer-term impacts and recovery. At this time, we are prioritizing community-based organizations that are serving communities and individuals who are immediately and disproportionately suffering from this crisis. During this early phase of response grantmaking, we are not able to prioritize organizations who have lost revenue or are likely to lose future revenue due to canceled events or programs, or larger public institutions that are strained by increased demand for services. We recognize these challenges, and as the long-term impacts continue to unfold, we will continue to work with the United Way to assess and evolve our funding strategies.
Based upon the charitable structure of the COVID-10 Response Fund, our grants are limited to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, or other charitable organizations able to receive a tax-deductible contribution, such as schools, faith-based organizations, and other public entities. We are not able to fund individuals or businesses directly, labor unions, or other 501(c)4, 501(c)5, and 501(c)6 organizations.
Is there a geographic area of focus for the Fund?
The COVID-19 Response Fund will support community-based organizations serving Dunn County. The United Way of Dunn County also serves our neighbors to the south in Pepin County, so this fund is available to charitable organizations in that county as well.
When will you share who you fund?
We anticipate making a round of grants in the coming weeks and will publish the list of selected grantees on the Community Foundation of Dunn County and United Way of Dunn County websites. We hope that this will help the community navigate available resources.
How will the fund shift gears if needed?
The fund priorities may evolve as our region adapts to the COVID-19 outbreak. We will continue to prioritize communities most impacted, recognizing deep and historic inequities that are likely to be magnified in times of crisis. Crisis philanthropy recognizes the need to provide immediate resources for triage, as well as the importance of recovery resources to ensure community resilience. If funds remain after all short-term and long-term needs are supported, the COVID-19 Response Funds will be saved for the next crisis that demands a similar rapid-response.
ARCHIVE OF PAST CORONAVIRUS POST UPDATES
The United Way Disaster Relief Fund
The United Way of Dunn County’s information on their Covid Response
Update to Nonprofits About Our Work Supporting Our Community During the Coronavirus Outbreak on Mar 18, 2020
Information about the Cancellation of Community Foundation Events
Supporting Our Community During the Coronavirus Outbreak on March 16