2021 Community Crisis Response Fund Grantmaking

As we enter 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic continues. To remain stable and strong, nonprofits are shifting from a mindset of crisis response to resilience and recovery.

The CFAAC Community Crisis Fund has made total investments of $1.3 million to 130 nonprofits that are helping local residents adversely affected by the coronavirus public health and economic crisis. 

For this phase of grantmaking, grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations that provide human services and emergency assistance, as well as health/mental health and educational resources. Examples include (but are not limited to) food, shelter, transportation, living expenses, and rent/utility assistance.  

Also included will be funding for advocacy and/or community organizing projects focused on improving systems for food security, violence prevention, medical care access (including, but not limited to, transportation to and from vaccination sites), childcare, and education.

Priority will be given to nonprofits with deep roots in the community and a demonstrated ability to address urgent needs and reach the historically underserved and vulnerable populations. These may include children out of school, families without childcare, people who have lost income due to the pandemic, people who are experiencing homelessness or rapid rehousing, people experiencing domestic violence or child abuse, individuals without paid sick leave or health insurance, non-English speaking residents, and senior citizens.

There is a lot of valuable work being done to organize and coordinate donations of food, goods, and direct services to people whose lives have been disrupted by the virus. CFAAC wants to fund organizations that are providing services that directly support client needs, and that may need help to cover costs of working with fewer staff or working remotely due to quarantine or social distancing. 

CFAAC will award grants between $2,500 and $20,000. Applications will be open from February 8th through March 12th. Awards will be announced by March 30th. Note: the application does require a narrative description, and program and operating budgets.