Coronavirus Relief Fund Established in Henderson County

Coronavirus Relief Fund Established in Henderson County

3/20/2020

Hendersonville, N.C., March 20, 2020 – Today, officials from United Way of Henderson County and Community Foundation of Henderson County announced that the Henderson County COVID-19 Response Fund has been established to rapidly deploy resources to community-based organizations at the frontlines of coronavirus in Henderson County.

 

The Henderson County COVID-19 Response Fund will provide flexible resources to 501(c)(3) organizations in our region working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the resulting economic consequences. Grants from the Fund will support front line human services organizations that have deep roots in the community and strong experience working with vulnerable populations. The first phase of rapid-response grants will help meet basic needs and increase resiliency for at-risk populations. The Fund expects to move an initial round of grants within the next few weeks. The Fund is designed to complement the work of government and public health officials to address the effects from the coronavirus in Henderson County.

“We believe in the power of community -- to demonstrate care, to lift one another up, and to enrich lives,” says President/CEO McCray V. Benson. “With the coronavirus (COVID-19) now declared a global pandemic, we cannot help but think of all those we know and care about around our community. Working together is a hallmark of how we get through and succeed in the type of conditions we face during this event.”

United Way of Henderson County Executive Director Denise Long notes, “United Way feels fortunate to be part of this caring, generous, and resilient community. Our local government, healthcare providers, emergency service, and schools are doing tremendous work to respond to the crisis. Our local nonprofits are a key piece of the essential services in this community as well, and their efforts will be needed now more than ever. This fund will help to ensure their work continues."

An advisory committee of representatives from local government and community institutions working directly with impacted populations will proactively identify emerging community needs, strategies to meet those needs, and potential grant recipients. The Fund Distribution Committee will review applications and determine final awards. Funds will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout this event and subsequent recovery phases of the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs in subsequent funding phases.

An application form for organizations to request phase one funds will be available on United Way’s and Community Foundation’s websites beginning Monday, March 23.
How to Give:

  • Credit Card: visit https://giving.cfhcforever.org/give-now/give-now-covid
  • Checks: payable to the “Henderson County COVID-19 Response Fund” c/o Community Foundation of Henderson County, 401 N. Main St., Ste. 300, Hendersonville, NC 28792.
  • CFHC Donor Advised Fundholders: request a grant transfer to the Henderson County COVID-19 Response Fund by calling the Foundation at 828-697-6224.
  • Corporations and foundations: to make a donation, contact Denise Long or McCray Benson at the email addresses listed below.

For questions about the Henderson County COVID-19 Response Fund please contact Denise Long at dlong@liveunitedhc.org or McCray Benson at mvbenson@cfhcforever.org.

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