The Dayton Foundation and United Way of the Greater Dayton Area (UWGDA) announced today the first grant distributions from the COVID-19 Response Fund for Greater Dayton. A grants distribution committee composed of representatives from The Dayton Foundation, UWGDA and initial funders approved grants totaling $70,500 to five local not-for-profit organizations. These funds will aid them in providing emergency, basic human services to individuals and families throughout Greater Dayton.
These grants include:
Senior Resource Connection ($30,000) to assist in purchasing 8,000 frozen, home-delivered meals for senior citizens.
Hannah’s Treasure Chest ($15,000) to assist in providing care packages of essential items for children in need.
Health Partners Free Clinic ($15,000) to aid in meeting the needs of an influx of patients needing supplies and medications.
Dayton Right to Life ($6,000) to help fulfill an increased need for diapers and infant formula.
Victory Project ($4,500) to help in providing weekly care packages of food and cleaning supplies to families in need.
“The COVID-19 Response Fund for Greater Dayton is an excellent start to what will be ongoing efforts to remedy the impact of COVID-19 on our community,” – quote J. Thomas Maultsby, president and CEO of the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area.
Nonprofit organizations that are helping individuals and families with immediate, basic needs, such as food, housing, mental health and safety, in response to COVID-19, are encouraged to apply for a grant atwww.daytonfoundation.org. Applications are being reviewed by the distribution committee on an on-going basis to meet immediate funding needs.
Contributions to the fund currently total nearly $700,000, however more will be needed in the days and months ahead.
“COVID-19 affects all of us, but none more than our most vulnerable neighbors who already struggle with hunger, homelessness and poverty,” said Michael M. Parks, president of The Dayton Foundation. “We have shown time and time again over the past 10 months that we are a resilient and caring community, and all of our support and generosity is needed during this crisis. No gift is too small.”
Donations via credit card or Dayton Foundation fund transfers are preferred to the COVID-19 Response Fund for Greater Dayton and may be made online at www.daytonfoundation.org. The Dayton Foundation is paying all credit card processing fees and waiving administration fees so that 100 percent of donations go to charity.
Please note that The Dayton Foundation is operational during this time, however its physical office is closed until at least April 6, 2020. Postal mail will not be received until after that time. Any checks mailed to the Foundation will be processed as quickly as possible once health authorities lift the mandatory shelter-in-place restriction.
Individuals who are 70 1/2 or older and have an IRA also may choose to support these efforts through a qualified charitable distribution to a Field-of-Interest Fund established at The Dayton Foundation. Visit here or contact Michelle Lovely or Joe Baldasare in our Development Department for more information.
UWGDA’s HelpLink 211 is also available 24 hours a day for individuals needing information about community resources, basic needs assistance and other social services.
Other partners in the COVID-19 Response Fund coalition include the Mathile Family Foundation, Montgomery County, The Physicians’ Charitable Foundation of the Miami Valley and Sinclair Community College.
