The Community Foundation and Partners Announce Establishment of the COVID-19 Response Fund

Nearly $2M raised. $14M in grant requests.

Update: As of March 16, the COVID-19 Response Fund has grown to nearly $700,000.

West Palm Beach, FL (March 15, 2020) – The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, in partnership with philanthropists, business leaders, and governmental entities, announces the establishment of the COVID-19 Response Fund to address the needs of local residents affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

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The collaboration between government, business, and philanthropy raised nearly $500,000 in less than 48 hours. Contributions include $100,000 from Meredith Trim and Jim Robo, $100,000 from Florida Power & Light Company, $100,000 from the Stoops Family Foundation, $100,000 from the Marjorie Fisher Fund, $100,000 from Michael and Jacky Ferro, $100,000 from the Brooks Koepka Foundation Fund, and $100,000 from the Community Foundation. Additional funding partners include SBA Communication Corporation, Sherry and Tom Barrat, Julie and Peter Cummings, Susan and Peter Brockway, and others to be added. 

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APPLY FOR COVID-19 FUNDING HERE

APPLY FOR MARTIN COUNTY COVID-19 FUNDING HERE

The Community Foundation and its partners are committed to facilitating a community-wide fundraising effort to support those in need,”

said Brad Hurlburt, president and CEO of the Foundation.

“Together, we will serve as a critical resource for our community.”

Community Foundation staff is surveying its nonprofit partners and working with the Disaster Relief Teams of Palm Beach and Martin Counties to understand what support is needed for preparedness, containment, response and recovery. 

"Battled-tested from countless hurricanes, Floridians are no strangers to adversity and COVID-19 is, once again, putting the resiliency of our communities to the test," said Eric Silagy, president and CEO of Florida Power & Light Company. "We live here too, and that's why we're proud to join the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties to be there for our most vulnerable neighbors when they need us most. It's an important reminder of what we can do when we work together to solve problems, and we hope others will join us in supporting this incredibly important effort."

The COVID-19 Response Fund will strategically deploy resources to community-based organizations that are working with communities disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. 

Community health centers, homeless shelters, preschool and after-school programs, food pantries and others will be impacted.  Other social service providers may face increases in demand for services as well. The Foundation is closely monitoring the immediate and long-term needs, local health and economic impact of COVID-19.  

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