Berks County Community Foundation has released $307,800 in emergency grants to 59 Berks County nonprofit organizations to fill critical gaps in funding that have occurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funding from the Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Nonprofit Continuity Grants program will help with unexpected expenses or revenue losses that are not otherwise recoverable by the stimulus measures that the government has put into place.
The disbursements from this program could not come close to satisfying $2,435,203 in funding requests the Community Foundation received from 173 organizations.
“We are working to seek additional resources to assist local nonprofits because we know that government stimulus measures and our emergency grant program will not be enough to sustain all of our local nonprofits,” said Kevin K. Murphy, Community Foundation President.
“Many of these organizations are working harder than ever, expending more resources than before, and facing unprecedented financial hardship.”
The Community Foundation recently surveyed Berks County nonprofits about the impact of the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. The responses indicated tremendous financial stress in every part of the nonprofit sector, said Heidi Williamson, Senior Vice President for Programs and Initiatives at the Community Foundation.
“Organizations from across Berks County need assistance. Some, like the local food pantries, are working every day to meet a growing need among friends and neighbors, many of whom never had to reach out for help before. And as the recovery begins, all of the places that make a community feel like home – think of the arts venues, nature trails, historical societies, libraries, faith groups, and so many others – will need financial support to restart their work,” Williamson said.
“People often ask us where they should donate. Our best guidance is to make as generous a contribution as you comfortably can to the organizations that matter most to you.”
For a full list of organizations who have received funding, visit https://bccf.org/nonprofit-continuity-grants-recipients.
