Local Organizations Announce Coronavirus Relief Effort
The Community Foundation for Brevard, the Space Coast Health Foundation, and United Way of Brevard announced the establishment of the Brevard COVID-19 Response.
The three organizations are working with several local partners across sectors to understand how organizations are providing important services to those most in need in Brevard. The funders will provide additional financial resources to nonprofit agencies and individuals on the Space Coast most impacted by the growing economic devastation caused by COVID-19.
The Community Foundation for Brevard, Space Coast Health Foundation and United Way of Brevard will match up to $50,000 each, totaling $150,000 between the three funders. That means, for every dollar you donate, two dollars will go to relief efforts. With the community’s help, $300,000 could be available to assist the Space Coast’s most vulnerable.
“It’s going to take all of us working together to get through this difficult time. While the challenges are growing day by day, the generosity of our fund holders and community members, coupled with the capacity of our critical service providers, will help us weather the crisis and emerge even stronger here in Brevard,” said Theresa Grimison, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Brevard. “I encourage everyone to join with us, Space Coast Health Foundation and United Way of Brevard as we move forward together.”
The following areas of need will be a focus of the Brevard COVID-19 Response:
• FOOD SUPPORT: Access to food will be critical with school closings, reduced hours in some families and the closure of our senior lunch sites.
• EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Families and individuals struggling with basic needs due to job loss.
• FRONT-LINE, NONPROFIT AGENCIES: Funds will provide additional resources to those organizations that need to adapt their programs and services in this environment. The focus will be on working with Brevard’s most vulnerable residents needing assistance.
The first phase of this work is intended to be a rapid response to meet immediate needs. As more information is learned about other resources (federal/state/private) for help and the changing nature of this unprecedented situation, we will adapt our process.
“The strongest results happen when communities come together to solve issues, especially during times of crisis” said Johnette Gindling, president and CEO of the Space Coast Health Foundation. “The Foundation is pleased to collaborate with the Community Foundation for Brevard and United Way for Brevard to relieve some of the financial burdens our community is facing and will face in the months ahead due to the Coronavirus. This is about coming together for the good of each other and coming out stronger after the storm.” she said.
The group also anticipates the need to gather significantly more funding to assist Brevard residents and is seeking additional contributions.
“Working together with not for profit, corporate and governmental partners, we will be able to coordinate a better, more collaborative community response to this crisis. Our combined goal is to effectively deploy resources to local nonprofit organizations and families in need. This emergency has been fast in evolving and new information is coming in daily. However, I can tell you we will need significantly more resources to meet the demand the coronavirus crisis has put on our community,” said Rob Rains, president of United Way of Brevard.
