The Central New York Community Foundation announced the start of a fund to help local nonprofits and charities working with vulnerable people and those who have been economically hurt by the coronavirus outbreak. It will focus on safety net issues like food security, housing and child care.
The community foundation is working on a simple online form that organizations can use to apply for the grants. The Covid-19 Community Support Fund is being set up in partnership with the Allyn Foundation, City of Syracuse, Onondaga County and the United Way of Central New York. Nancy Eaton, president of the local United Way, said the purpose of the fund is to quickly assist nonprofits on the front lines.
“We are one community," Eaton said. "We have tremendous local leadership. We will rise and shine together through this crisis. You have one place you can contribute to make a difference. We will all work together to allocate these funds.”
The community foundation is making an initial contribution of $300,000 to the fund. They are soliciting donations and anyone, including institutions and local businesses, can contribute by going to cnycf.org/covid19.