United Way of Frederick County and Philanthropic Funders Distribute First Wave of COVID-19 Emergency Relief

FREDERICK, Md., March 31, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The COVID-19 Philanthropic Funders Collaborative (COVID Collaborative) of Ausherman Family Foundation, Community Foundation of Frederick County, Delaplaine Foundation, Helen J. Serini Foundation, United Way of Frederick County and Women's Giving Circle are releasing $172,700 in first-wave funding to meet the immediate needs of nonprofit organizations serving adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis and its aftermath. Additional funds will be released at a later time.

Through a collaborative approach, philanthropic funders are coordinating funding efforts to ensure that funds are going to areas of greatest need. Funding released at this time represents a portion of funding available to support nonprofits who are meeting the needs of individuals and families adversely affected the COVID-19 crisis.

Four funders, Ausherman Family Foundation, Delaplaine Foundation, Helen J. Serini Foundation and United Way of Frederick County, are releasing funds to meet immediate needs. Two funders, Community Foundation of Frederick County and Women's Giving Circle, are strategically reserving funds to meet needs that will emerge in the coming week. Additional waves of funding, including distribution of remaining funds from the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Campaign, will be distributed in the weeks ahead.

In addition to $15,000 in purchases of medical equipment, sanitary gloves, masks, feminine hygiene products, diapers, and other necessities, Ausherman Family Foundation is granting $100,000 to the following:

    --  Advocates for Homeless Families Rent, Food, and Transportation Relief
        for Homeless Families $10,000
    --  Frederick Rescue Mission, Inc. Funding for Shelter and Food Distribution
        $10,000
    --  The Arc of Frederick County Emergency funding for critical supplies for
        clients $5,000
    --  The Religious Coalition Alternative Emergency Shelter for Homeless
        Individuals and Families $20,000
    --  YMCA of Frederick County Supporting Partnership to provide Temporary
        Shelter for Homeless Families $10,000
    --  Asian American Center Critical supplies for recently unemployed clients
        $10,000
    --  Blessings in a Backpack Food for out-of-school FCPS students $5,000
    --  Frederick County Government, Senior Services Division Funding for Frozen
        and Shelf Stable Meals for Seniors $10,000
    --  Housing Authority of the City of Frederick Emergency supplies and
        services for recently unemployed residents $5,000
    --  Mental Health Association of Frederick County Stop-gap funding for 2-1-1
        and mental health services $10,000
    --  Interfaith Housing Association Emergency supplies and services for
        recently unemployed residents $5,000

Delaplaine Foundation is granting $25,000 to the following:

    --  Frederick Community College Foundation Student Success Fund Program at
        the FCC Foundation$5,000
    --  Frederick Rescue Mission, Inc. Frederick Rescue Mission COVID-19
        Operations Grant $5,000
    --  Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs Alternative Emergency
        Shelter for Homeless Individuals and Families $10,000
    --  YMCA of Frederick County Childcare for essential workers and first
        responders $5,000

Helen J. Serini Foundation is granting $22,200 to the following:

    --  The Religious Coalition General Operations$5,000
    --  YMCA of Frederick County General Operations $5,000
    --  Wells House @ Gale Recovery General Operations $7,200
    --  Community Action Agency General Operations $5,000

United Way of Frederick County is granting $25,500 to the following:

    --  Advocates for Homeless Families Rent, Food, and Transportation Relief
        for Homeless Families $5,000
    --  Boys & Girls Club of Frederick County BGCFC Initial Closure & Essential
        Personnel $6,500
    --  YMCA of Frederick County Installation of new HVAC at Camp West Mar so
        Religious Coalition can host homeless families $3,500
    --  Asian American Center Emergency supplies for recently unemployed clients
        $1,000
    --  Heartly House Support for individuals experiencing domestic abuse $2,500
    --  Mental Health Association of Frederick County Stop-gap funding for 2-1-1
        services call center $7,000

About COVID-19 Emergency Relief Campaign
The economic fallout from Coronavirus is causing significant hardship for many Frederick County families. 39% of households in Frederick County already struggled to afford basic households. Today, many of these families, known as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), face an even more uncertain future.

This COVID-19 Emergency Relief Campaign is a community fundraising effort to support nonprofits who directly help those adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Programmatic impacts may include, but are not limited to, emergency shelter, financial stability programs, transportation needs, prescriptions and medical supplies, food and food supplies for seniors, and suicide prevention and other mental health services.

As of March 27, 2020, the Emergency Relief Campaign raised over $155,000. The campaign will remain open until the COVID-19 crisis abates. United Way commits to granting funds on an ongoing basis.

Gifts to the Covid-19 Emergency Relief Campaign can be made at http://www.uwfrederick.org, by mailing checks to United Way COVID-19 Campaign, PO Box 307, Frederick, MD 21705 or by texting COVIDFREDERICK to 71777.

SOURCE United Way of Frederick County