The St. Louis Community Foundation is using its role in the local philanthropic scene to bring together those who are able to give and those who are in need amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The foundation has established two grant funds, the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund and the Gateway Resilience Fund, to aid area workers, businesses, and nonprofits feeling the financial burden from business downturn caused by the outbreak. “We’re committed to this region,” says Amelia Bond, president and CEO of the St. Louis Community Foundation. “We want to provide our financial assistance.”
What is the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund?
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Created by a coalition of local foundations, businesses, and donors, the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund is designed to quickly send aid to nonprofits whose work is directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, such as senior services, food insecurity, and child care, among others. An advisory council comprising public health experts, foundation partners, and corporate and community representatives is overseeing how the grants are distributed, based on urgent need.
The St. Louis Community Foundation initially seeded the fund two weeks ago with $100,000 from its endowed funds. In the fund’s first three hours, a dozen other local foundations pledged donations. The first round of grants went out on Thursday, when the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund awarded nearly $370,000 to 16 area nonprofits. A recent $500,000 donation from Schnuck Markets will help with upcoming rounds of funding.
What is the Gateway Resilience Fund?
Seeded by an anonymous donor, the Gateway Resilience Fund aims to steer short-term relief to employees and owners of bars, restaurants, and small businesses who are feeling the financial burden of the coronavirus outbreak. In the short time that it has been up and running, the fund has received additional contributions from individual donors and businesses in the area. On Tuesday, the Downtown St. Louis Community Improvement District announced a donation of $100,000 that will help qualifying small businesses located within its boundaries with grants of up to $5,000.
To be eligible for aid from the Gateway Resilience Fund, applicants must show that they are facing financial challenges, and be either an employee, essential local contractor, or owner of an independent bar, restaurant, entertainment venue, or retail establishment in the St. Louis region. Bond says the St. Louis Community Foundation received approximately 600 applications in the first three days the fund was established. The foundation continues to accept applications, which can be found at stlgives.org.
How can I help?
Visit stlgives.org for more information on donating to the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund and the Gateway Resilience Fund.
