The Wabash Valley Relief Fund created by United Way of the Wabash Valley and the Wabash Valley Community Foundation has continued to see steady requests for from service provider organizations for relief funding related to COVID-19. The organizations previously reported two rounds of grant funding on March 31 and April 7 totaling over $135,000 in emergency community support. On Tuesday, the organization distributed another seven grants to local organizations totaling $35,000.
“We have seen a steady flow of applicants for these short-term relief grants,” said Beth Tevlin, Executive Director for the Community Foundation. “The Steering Committee has reviewed between 10 and 20 applicants each week since the fund was created on March 20. We’re proud to see the community’s support leading to important grants to organizations providing food assistance and delivery, shelter and sober living facilities, rent, utilities, and even telehealth opportunities.” With Tuesday’s latest release of fund, 39 organizations have now been granted some immediate financial assistance to help those impacted by the pandemic.
The third-round grant recipients include:
- $5,000 for Dugger Lions Club – increased need for food pantry
- $5,000 for First Christian Church of Clinton – increased need for food pantry
- $5,000 for Highland Church – increased need for food pantry
- $5,000 for Parke-Vermillion County Humane Society – increased demand to care of animals
- $5,000 for Terre Haute Children’s Museum – offset operational costs during closing
- $5,000 for Vigo County Historical Society – offset operational costs during closing
- $5,000 for Vigo County School Corporation Backpack Program – expand food distribution for weekend consumption
The fund’s first priority is to assist organizations helping individuals and families with immediate COVID-19 related needs, but funds are also used for support of non-profit infrastructure impacted by the economic effects of the state’s stay-at-home orders. Richard Payonk, Executive Director for the United Way explained, “Our Steering Committee, selected from our organizations’ best and dedicated volunteers and staff, has a tough job each week. They are balancing the funds available to them against food, shelter and financial needs of families, but also trying to keep an eye out for financial supports for some of our important non-profits that our community needs to remain viable entities when our recovery begins. I’m so proud of the team reviewing and making these grants. They truly care about this community, and they are acting quickly and efficiently to get the funds into the places they are needed.” Payonk is hopeful that many more community businesses and individuals will come forward to help support the fund.
If community members are interested in donating to the fund, please visit uwwv.org/covid or wvcf.org/covid. All money that is donated will remain in the Wabash Valley and can be designated to specific-county use. No administrative fees will be charged, so 100% of the donations will flow into our local community in the form of future grant disbursements. Corporate partners and foundations seeking to be partners in the fund can reach out to Danielle Isbell at [email protected] or Beth Tevlin at [email protected].
Those organizations wanting to apply can request up to a maximum of $5,000 through a simple process available at uwwv.org/covid. The application should be less than one page and should demonstrate how the COVID-19 pandemic has created the financial need for which they are seeking this relief funding. Applications should be emailed to [email protected] upon completion.
For more information on the fund specifics, size, awards, and how to apply visit the website uwwv.org/covid.
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United Way of the Wabash Valley is an organization looking to go beyond temporary fixes to create lasting change in our communities throughout our six-county region. By bringing together volunteers, companies, and organizations focused on innovative solutions, we impact thousands of lives every year right here in the Wabash Valley. Our new bold goal is to move 10,000 local families out of financial struggles. For more information, please visit, www.uwwv.org.
The Wabash Valley Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people in the Wabash Valley. The Community Foundation enables people with philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support the organizations and issues they care about – immediately or through their estate plans. Donors may give to existing funds or establish a charitable fund at the Community Foundation by contributing a variety of assets. For more information on the Community Foundation, please contact 812.232.2234 or visit www.wvcf.org.
