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Flint, MI – Connecting generosity to the needs of our community is at the heart of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint’s (CFGF) mission. Genesee County nonprofit organizations, those working diligently on the ground keeping people sheltered, well-nourished and healthy, need our support. Today CFGF announced the Greater Flint Urgent Relief Fund has been established by a coalition of philanthropic, government, and business partners. The purpose of the fund is to quickly coordinate and provide resources to nonprofit organizations that are working with communities disproportionately affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Established by CFGF in partnership with United Way of Genesee County, the Greater Flint Urgent Relief Fund will award grants on a regular basis to nonprofits who are addressing gaps that are surfacing in key services for our most vulnerable community members.
“CFGF and United Way will work with a host of fund partners to ensure the fund has maximum scope and impact,” said Isaiah M. Oliver, CFGF President and CEO. “What we know for sure is that people-serving organizations are going to need additional support to navigate the uncertainties caused by this global pandemic. Our goal is to be as nimble and flexible as possible in ensuring that critical services are received by those most at risk in our community.”
The fund will provide flexible grant resources to nonprofits working to meet the basic needs of their communities. A local advisory committee is being established to advise grants from the fund as community needs emerge and gaps in service become clearer. Details on how nonprofits might request and access grants from the Greater Flint Urgent Response Fund will be announced soon.
“The urgency of this Fund ensures that donations will be used in the most effective way to help area nonprofit organizations manage through the current crisis,” said Jamie Gaskin, Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Genesee County.
The three grantmaking priorities are:
- Assisting with immediate and anticipated direct service/needs/gaps
- Maintaining or expanding internal operations and infrastructure for critical nonprofits; and
- Support costs associated with additional volunteer capacity as needed in this time of crisis.
“Fund partners understand the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to have a significant impact on individuals and families in Greater Flint,” Oliver said. “We are working as quickly as possible to move resources to community-based organizations that are directly supporting local families and residents who are most affected.”
CFGF encourage institutions, companies, funders, and donors to contribute and help support local nonprofits now, when they need it most. For example, many nonprofits rely on special events to fund their operations. With many of those events being cancelled, operations revenues will fall short.
“To ensure that we can coordinate and share resources as quickly as possible, donors may not restrict their gifts to an individual grantee,” said Karima Amlani, Transitional Vice President of Development at CFGF. “If you have a specific organization you would like to support, we encourage you to give directly to that organization.”
Gifts to the Greater Flint Urgent Relief Fund may be made online at www.cfgf.org. For general questions about the fund please email relieffund@cfgf.org. Philanthropic and business partners please contact Karima Amlani at kamlani@cfgf.org or call 810.767.3653.
Fund Partners
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
City of Flint
Community Foundation of Greater Flint
Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce
Hagerman Foundation
Ruth Mott Foundation
United Way of Genesee County