Centre Foundation Releases the Granting Schedule for its $375,000 COVID-19 ACTION Fund
State College, PA — Centre Foundation has launched its COVID-19 response grant program to assist nonprofits in Centre County. Funding from the COVID-19 ACTION (Activating Contributions to Invest in Operations of Nonprofits) Fund will be made available in three phases, outlined below. Applications for Phase One will be accepted online from May 8 until May 22, 2020.
The Centre Foundation COVID-19 ACTION Fund opens with a balance of $375,000, which is earmarked to provide operational and programmatic support to local nonprofits amid the pandemic.
The fund was seeded with $125,000 from Centre Foundation’s Community Impact Fund, which provides support for a variety of programs, including Centre Gives and Centre Inspires, as well as for emerging community needs. Knight Foundation has pledged a further $250,000, allocated from their donor-advised fund, understanding that the pandemic is presenting nonprofits with significant hardship.
“We understand the significant challenges facing our local nonprofits and the importance of supporting them through this crisis. We are honored to be partnering with the Knight Foundation to provide the funding nonprofits need to continue providing essential services,” said Molly Kunkel, Executive Director of Centre Foundation.
Phase One – Funding from Phase One will support nonprofits that are addressing the immediate health and human service needs of Centre County residents as a result of the pandemic.
- The total available funding for Phase One is $100,000.
- Applications are currently open and will be accepted online until 5:00 PM on Friday, May 22, 2020.
- Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded by July 1, 2020, to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, schools, and/or units of government that serve Centre County, PA residents.
- Any nonprofit may apply, but the funding must be used to support the immediate provision of health or human service needs for local residents.
Phase Two – As the crisis continues to be felt in our community, nonprofit organizations may be affected in a variety of ways, from meeting increased community needs to decreased income due to canceled fundraisers or reduced program revenue. Funding from Phase Two will support the operational or programmatic needs of local nonprofits in their ongoing efforts to provide services during the COVID-19 crisis.
- The total available for Phase Two is $150,000.
- Applications opening in July 2020 and grants being awarded in August 2020.
- This granting round will provide funding to meet any operational or program needs which have been disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis and will be open to any nonprofit serving Centre County residents. It is not limited to health or human services organizations or programs.
Phase Three – The ongoing effects of COVID-19 may not be clear for several months, as the long term economic and social impacts of the crisis are fully realized. Centre Foundation will continue to monitor the crisis and work closely with local nonprofits to assess long term impacts. Funding from Phase Three will provide support for strategic planning for nonprofits as they face the rapidly changing needs in the community as a result of COVID-19.
- The total available for Phase Three is $125,000.
- Applications for Phase Three will become available in late 2020.
Anyone interested in supporting the fund can make a gift here: https://centre-foundation.orgfunds/centre-foundation-covid-19-action-fund/
Applications for Phase One funding are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 22, 2020, and may be submitted here: https://forms.gle/ixApm3efJfB78rEu9
Centre Foundation is also supporting local nonprofits through the recent expansion of their Centre Gives program set to begin at 9:00 AM on May 12th. Learn more about Centre Gives at CentreGives.org.
For more information about Centre Foundation’s granting programs, please visit Centre-Foundation.org, email info@centre-foundation.org, or leave a message at (814) 237-6229.
