Local Foundations Respond to Community Coronavirus Needs

Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton, Stark Community Foundation and other local funders have joined forces to collectively and quickly respond to the needs of area organizations affected by the rapidly-evolving spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Stark County. A grant application has been created and Stark Community Foundation’s Immediate Impact Alert Fund has been activated to mobilize much-needed resources to organizations experiencing unexpected financial challenges.

How to Apply for Funding
To help local funders stay informed of the growing need and to streamline the requests for financial support, a mini-grant application has been created to capture how organizations have been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Applications will be reviewed on an on-going basis and grants will be awarded to local organizations based on current funding priorities. Currently, priority is given to programs that provide:

  • assistance to homebound seniors
  • pandemic childcare
  • mental health services
  • shelter and homeless services
  • other documented emerging needs

The local philanthropic collaborative has responded to the increased need for food through a partnership with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to serve Stark County partner sites. In addition, individuals seeking emergency financial assistance with rent and mortgage payments should contact United Way of Greater Stark County.

This funding opportunity is intended to fill needs that are currently not being addressed through federal, state and local governmental resources. While grants cannot be made directly to individuals and families, critical resources will be awarded to organizations that directly support neighbors in need.

Local 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, churches and government entities responding to the spread of COVID-19 in our community are eligible to apply. Contact Anne Savastano, grants and operations manager at the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton, at asavastano@scfcanton.org or (330) 454-5800, ext. 304. for specific application instructions.

How to Support Your Community
Stark Community Foundation’s Immediate Impact Alert Fund has been activated. This fund is a flexible funding source that allows the Foundation, other local foundations and community members to immediately respond during times of critical need. All monies contributed to this fund by the local community will be used to support area organizations affected by COVID-19.

If interested in co-investing with Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton, Stark Community Foundation and other local funders to help mobilize resources immediately to improve the health and well-being of our entire community, you can make a gift of any size to the Immediate Impact Alert Fund. Here’s how you can support your community during the COVID-19 crisis:

  • Make a gift online with your credit or debit card at www.starkcf.org
  • Write a check to Stark Community Foundation with Immediate Impact Alert: COVID-19 Response written on the memo line. Checks can be mailed to Stark Community Foundation, 400 Market Avenue North, Suite 200, Canton, Ohio 44702.
  • Donate stock by calling the Foundation at 330-454-7992.
  • Current Stark Community Foundation fundholders may make grant recommendations to the Immediate Impact Alert Fund from their charitable funds through the Donor Portal, mail or email to donorservices@starkcf.org.

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