Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County launches Community Crisis Response Fund

Deadline: 14-Aug-20

The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) has launched a call for applications for the Community Crisis Response Fund.

CFAAC’s Community Crisis Response Fund was designed to allow funding priorities to evolve as the needs of the community change. Rapid response grant priority areas may shift according to the most critical needs in Anne Arundel County in subsequent funding cycles.

Funding Information

• The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County’s (CFAAC) Community Crisis Response Fund, CFAAC will make a limited number of single immediate-use grants (maximum $2,500) to nonprofits addressing the increase in community needs and demand for services in the following impact areas in Anne Arundel County (AAC): food security, support for basic human needs, and housing insecurity and homelessness.

Areas

These areas were selected by CFAAC based on feedback received from local nonprofits in regards to their greatest immediate needs, and in alignment with CFAAC funding priorities, as defined in the most recent Community Needs Assessment, Poverty Amongst Plenty VI, On the Road to Progress for All.

• Food Security
  • CFAAC will accept grant applications from organizations to provide access to food during this time for those in need due to the public health crisis. COVID-19 presents a threat to already food insecure individuals, from infants to seniors, and families who now face an uncertain economic future. As an example, 37% of Anne Arundel County Public School students (30,000 children) receive Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS), extended school closures mean that students no longer have access to these meals.
• Support for Basic Human Needs:
  •  CFAAC will accept grant applications from organizations that are helping individuals and families with immediate basic human needs in response to COVID-19. The most vulnerable people in their community, including those who have lost a source of income, are at high risk medically, are homeless, disabled, or mentally and/or physically ill, and individuals who lack paid sick leave or health insurance will be disproportionately impacted by a coronavirus and the resulting economic consequences. Examples:
    • Items to maintain safe and healthy environments, such as cleaning and hygiene supplies
    • Medicine/Medical care not supported by Medicaid/Medicare/Private Insurance
    • Transportation assistance, gas cards
    • Baby supplies, diapers, formula
    • Other personal items
• Homelessness or housing insecurity:
  • CFAAC will accept grant applications from organizations that are helping individuals and families who are facing housing insecurity or homelessness as a result of the impacts of COVID-19. According to the 2016-2020 Consolidated Plan for Anne Arundel County, 66 percent of extremely low-income renters and 72 percent (4,645 homeowners) of extremely low-income homeowners are paying more than 50 percent of their income for housing. The three homeless shelters and three rehousing programs in the County have seen an increased need for shelter during the COVID-19 crisis.

Eligibility Criteria

• An organization may submit only one application per cycle
• Requests for funding must directly relate to increased needs as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
• The applicant must be:
  • An already existing nonprofit, 501c3 organization in good standing with the IRS,
  • An existing government/quasi-governmental agency applying for an extraordinary project that is not funded by tax revenue, or
  • A religious organization requesting funding for non-sectarian activities.
  • In addition, 501c3 organizations must be in good standing with:
    • Maryland Secretary of State’s charitable division
    • Department of Assessment & Taxation’s Maryland Personal Property tax division
    • IRS, as assessed via GuideStar’s Charity Check

Program Requirements

• Programs for which the grant will apply must be used to serve only Anne Arundel County residents.
• Funding decisions will be made based upon a nonprofit organization’s ability to provide food and/or family support for basic human needs, childcare, or camp programs serving underserved populations, or services to those facing homelessness or housing insecurity.

Reporting Requirements

• To assist nonprofit staff during these unprecedented times, CFAAC will not require an extensive, formal grant report once funds have been expended.
• However, they request that grant recipients send a follow-up communication to inform CFAAC about the approximate number of people served by the grant and the difference the grant made to your organization. This informal report is requested prior to applying for additional funding.

For more information, visit http://www.cfaac.org/community-crisis-response-fund.html-0