The Kent County Relief Fund, a rapid-response effort that began on March 27, 2020 and ran until May 19, 2020, provided more than 9,500 individuals and families in West Michigan each with a one-time cash payment of $500 to help those experiencing financial hardship related to the COVID-19 crisis. The fund sought to provide immediate, short-term aid to neighbors until jobs restarted, government benefits took effect, or other relief resources became available. These funds empowered individuals to choose how to best use this money to support themselves and their families.

The COVID-19 crisis has caused devastation for thousands of people who live and work in Kent County, Michigan. Many have lost their jobs or experienced reduced hours and rely on a regular paycheck to afford necessities like shelter, food, transportation, baby products, and medicine.

To help, local donors and community-based nonprofits partnered with the Family Independence Initiative and the Stand Together Foundation to create a short-term fund to provide emergency cash relief to neighbors and families hardest hit by the pandemic. Specifically, individuals who live or work in Kent County, who experienced job loss or reduced hours of work, and whose household earns $50,000 or less per year were able to each receive $500.