HoCoRespond COVID-19 Emergency Funds Available to Howard County Nonprofits Application Process Opens April 6, 2020
Four local philanthropies established HoCoRespond.com and set a goal of raising $100,000 in 10 days to support Howard County nonprofits with emergency funds in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The goal has been exceeded and $100,000 in emergency funds are now available to support nonprofits on the frontline of support assisting with food security, housing, childcare and healthcare.
The opportunity for Howard County nonprofits to apply for this first round of funding will begin on Monday, April 6, 2020. Organizations must apply by midnight on Friday, April 10.
The Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland and Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County are working together to assess where assistance may be needed, provide funding, and accept donations.
“Howard County Funders are coordinating to raise and deploy critical resources to nonprofits on the frontlines of responding to the urgent health and economic needs of disproportionately impacted communities in Howard County,” said Beverly White-Seals, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Howard County. “We are here to support our community.”
Organizations should be 501(c)3 nonprofits providing services in and to Howard County Maryland residents.
“Nonprofits that meet the basic needs of Howard County residents are eligible for operating support, including those that provide child care, food, housing, health care and mental health services, as well as those that support our local health care system and frontline health care workers,” said Franklyn Baker, president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland.
HoCoRespond.com is continuing to accept donations and will soon announce a second round of funding for Howard County nonprofits. Those looking to help can donate to the following emergency funds supporting nonprofits that are assisting community members affected by COVID-19:
- The Community Foundation of Howard County has its established Howard County Community Relief Fund to address ongoing emergencies in Howard County. Members of the community and fund holders at the foundation are invited to donate.
- The United Way of Central Maryland has established the COVID-19 Community Fund for Central Maryland to support the community, and in particular, support those who operate on the frontlines of providing help and resources to those in need. Community members are invited to donate.
- The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County has its long-established Emergency Response Network (ERN) for donors to support specific needs in the community that the WGC will match in the coming weeks and months ahead.
The Howard County funding community is working together to ensure that each fund has maximum reach and effectiveness, and are urging donors and the community at large to look for opportunities to support the critical needs of nonprofits they wish to help.
“We will continue exploring the path forward in providing relief to our community and look forward to leveraging our strengths and working with others to make a bigger difference together than we might otherwise make alone,” said WGC Chair Barb Van Winkle.
As Howard County works to respond to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, these organizations will continue to collaborate to assist community stakeholders, business leaders and public sector leaders to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive response.
“These are unprecedented times, and we are grateful for both our nonprofit community coming together to provide critical support, and for donors stepping up to respond,” said Nikki Highsmith Vernick, president and CEO of the Horizon Foundation. “This is Howard County at its best.”
