Humboldt Area Foundation and our affiliate, Wild Rivers Community Foundation, launched the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund to address the immediate and emerging needs of our region's most vulnerable residents—from mitigation to eventual recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
The number of people affected by the coronavirus in our four county region continues to grow. Many of us are grappling with sudden changes to our everyday lives. For some, the effects are particularly dire.
We are especially concerned about the most vulnerable in our communities, from seniors and people with compromised immune systems to low-wage workers and those needing food and shelter.
About the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund
The COVID-19 Regional Response Fund will support urgent community needs identified by our regional partners. The fund will make grants on a rolling basis to nonprofits, charitable organizations and public agencies meeting the immediate needs of residents in Trinity, Humboldt, Del Norte and Curry counties. The fund's initial focus will be on seniors, low-income families and tribal communities.
With Wild Rivers Community Foundation and the support of foundation partners, The California Endowment and The California Wellness Foundation, we are committing $150,000 to seed the fund. We now invite businesses, civic groups, individuals and community partner to join us in this effort. Through this fund, we seek to fill the gaps. We will be flexible and adjust to meet changing needs and circumstances.
By being responsive during times of uncertainty, we embrace our role as a community foundation to respond to the evolving needs of our diverse residents. We will mobilize all the tools available to us. In addition to this fund, we expect to tap into our other grantmaking funds, to use our ability to convene businesses, public sector and philanthropic partners, to utilize our loan program and to model collaborative and proactive community leadership.
The COVID-19 Regional Response Fund is one way you join us and help address our immediate and future regional needs. We can't do it alone. We ask your help.
Giving to the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund
Current fund holders can contribute to the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund from their existing funds.
Contributions can be made by mail, online or in person. All contributions are tax-deductible. All contributions, small or large, are welcome!
The Foundation has waived its administration fee to manage the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund. Credit card contributions remain subject to third party fees.
Your support will make a real difference in the lives of people who profoundly need our help.
Grants from the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund
We are using a streamlined grants process to identify needs and make awards quickly from this fund. There is no application process.
Our staff is reaching out to local nonprofits, business and community leaders in Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte and Curry counties to identify where we can be most useful in filling the gaps. Funding decisions are being made by a staff leadership team led by CEO Bryna Lipper.
See the first batch of grants, totaling $196K.
Of particular importance is help for seniors, homeless, low-income workers, tribal communities and the nonprofits serving those populations.
We are not able to make grants from this fund to individuals or small businesses at this time. We are working to ensure that individuals and businesses are cared for and we are exploring ways we can help them through this crisis. For individuals with health needs, see our Angel Fund for possible options.
Contacts
For contributions, giving and fund information email Luis Chabolla or call 707-267-9905.
For questions about grants from the fund email Sara Dronkers or call 707-442-2993 ext. 307.
For media inquiries email Luis Chabolla or call 707-267-9905.