COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund Announces RFP Awards and Close of Fund

COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund Announces RFP Awards and Close of Fund

 Evansville, IN – The COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund of the Greater Evansville Region made grants totaling $1 million to six organizations with collaborative proposals that reimagine our region’s future. This one-time funding opportunity supports nonprofits who are reconceptualizing systems, environments, and pathways to create a more resilient region. The Request for Proposal drew 41 requests, seeking nearly $8 million. The recipients and the intended use of funds are listed below. 

The Community Foundation Alliance, awarded $165,000, will expand the PATHS program. PATHS uses case managers, working through three local nonprofits, to help individuals improve their long-term financial stability. 

For Evansville, awarded $185,000, will foster shared information and collaboration among the region’s nonprofits by encouraging the adoption of a shared regional database (Charity Tracker). The goal is to address duplicate services, prevent abuse of assistance, and identify gaps in service to vulnerable populations. 

Ronald McDonald House Charities is awarded $145,000 to launch and operate a “Care Mobile” program, along with local healthcare providers. This medical clinic on wheels will provide neighborhood-based medical care to underserved pregnant and post-partum women, along with infants up to 1 year of age. 

The Southwest Indiana Chamber Foundation is awarded $240,000 to utilize technology and targeted marketing to build a talent pipeline, as well as expand the quality of place assets. 

The University of Evansville is awarded $90,000 to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating the Springboard summer day program. Springboard is a partnership with Black Lemonade that will address the preparation gap for under-resourced high school students before graduation. The program includes STEAM curriculum, character development, and leadership training. 

YMCA of SWI, awarded $175,000, will establish a coalition of organizations dedicated to improving grade-level reading by third grade. Nationally, 80% of children from low-income families are not proficient readers by the end of third grade, creating significant, long-term consequences for both the children and the community. 2 

“The members of the Executive Committee were impressed by the many collaborative, innovative proposals that were submitted. Even though the Response Fund wasn’t able to make grants to all 41 programs, it is our hope that many of them will find funders through other private and public partnerships. We eagerly anticipate the impact these new initiatives will have on our region. As the Fund comes to a close, we believe it has not only helped with relief and recovery, but also generated a movement toward greater resiliency. We are grateful for the community’s support and encourage everyone to give generously to our region’s nonprofits,” said Carl Chapman, COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund Executive Committee Chair. 

Thanks to a community effort led by local leaders, the Response Fund has raised more than $6.6 million since its inception in March 2020. It has distributed the $6.6 million by awarding 209 grants to various nonprofits throughout the five-county region. For a detailed list of grantees, visit www.unitedwayswi.org/covid-response-fund-recipients.