DETROIT, MI – Dan Gilbert and his company Quicken Loans have donated $1.2 million to Detroit organizations to help them fight the outbreak of COVID-19.

The donation from the Quicken Loans Community Fund and Gilbert Family Foundation includes $500,000 for the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, $250,000 to the United Community Housing Coalition and $450,000 for small businesses and existing grant partners to ensure they can maintain operations in the weeks ahead.

“Our actions today will impact the trajectory of the coronavirus tomorrow, which is why it is so critical that we, as a philanthropic community, immediately support Detroit residents through direct investments in families and those nonprofits that provide crucial services,” said Jennifer Gilbert, co-founder of the Gilbert Family Foundation.

“The Gilbert Family Foundation is proud to invest in United Way and United Community Housing Coalition in order to mitigate the impacts of this virus today and for the foreseeable future. We encourage other organizations to join us in supporting this necessary cause.”

The money provided to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan will go straight to its COVID-19 Community Response Fund, which supports families and nonprofits to ensure access to health care, emergency financial supports and food, as well as addressing long-term needs that result from loss of jobs and income.

Quicken Loans is also matching fundraising for team members who donate to organizations in Detroit, Cleveland, Phoenix and Charlotte. These organizations include:

· Detroit – Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Focus: HOPE, Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners Community Food Bank.

· Cleveland – Cleveland Food Bank and the United Way of Greater Cleveland.

· Phoenix – St. Mary’s Food Bank, the Area Agency on Aging of Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun United Way.

· Charlotte – Second Harvest Food Bank and the United Way of Central Carolinas.

“Today we are living in a moment of uncertainty, but I am steadied by the fact that so many of our team members and partners have come together to learn more about how each of us can do our part,” said Laura Grannemann, Vice President of the Quicken Loans Community Fund.

The Quicken Loans Community Fund has invested $200 million into Detroit organizations and programming, according to a news release.

Furthermore, team members have contributed 725,000 volunteer hours nationwide – including 400,000 in Detroit, where Quicken Loans is headquartered.

PREVENTION TIPS

Michigan’s State Emergency Operations Center is coordinating state-government resources and the response to the coronavirus spread. It has shared the following tips:

What you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases:

· Always cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.

· Stay home if you are sick and advise others to do the same.

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

· Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

· Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if soap and warm water are not available.

· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (computers, keyboards, desks, etc.).

· It’s not too late to get your flu shot! While the influenza vaccine does not protect against COVID-19 infection, it can help keep you healthy during the flu season.