New Local Partnership to Begin Disbursing COVID-19 Household Relief Funds

March 23, 2020—The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, Cville Community Cares, United Way of Greater Charlottesville, City of Charlottesville, and County of Albemarle are pleased to announce a partnership to disburse funds to households experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 virus. This partnership will make financial payments to households in Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson, and Orange.

The partnership will begin receiving requests for support today, March 23, 2020. Anyone experiencing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 virus and its economic impacts can call (434) 234-4490 between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday. Multiple languages are available.

“As a region of interconnected people, we have the opportunity and responsibility to care for one another,” Brennan Gould, president and chief executive officer of the Community Foundation, said. “I am extremely grateful to the generous donors who have contributed to this effort so far. Philanthropy is well positioned to be nimble, responsive, and creative in times of crisis. The innovative partnership that launches today will focus on stabilizing individual households across the region that are experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 virus and its economic impacts.”

“This situation is unprecedented and growing exponentially, and people need help right now covering necessities and providing for their loved ones,” said Ravi Respeto, President & CEO of the United Way of Greater Charlottesville. “By partnering with the Community Foundation, Cville Community Cares, the City and the County, we endeavor to eliminate confusion and anxiety about where our fellow community members can turn for resources, while providing donors an opportunity to have an immediate and unified impact.”

“Through a grassroots mutual aid effort with Congregate Cville, we mobilized quickly and were able to raise and distribute direct financial assistance to over 130 households in 5 days,” the Cville Community Cares team said in a statement. “After having already received requests from more than 1,000 households in that period, we welcome this new partnership, which will allow us to scale up what worked so well from that effort to reach more people across the region.”

The Cville Community Cares team is also providing material support through grocery delivery and prescription delivery. The form to request support is bit.ly/cvilledelivery. To join the Cville Community Cares network, fill out the form at bit.ly/cvillecare2020.

In addition to supporting this partnership, the Foundation will make targeted grants to community-based organizations providing basic assistance, including food, housing and medical supplies. Organizations in Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson, and Orange are eligible. Interested organizations should contact ebugg@cacfonline.org to discuss their needs.

These funding initiatives are supported by the Community Emergency Response Fund at the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation. The Fund was established to provide flexible resources to organizations in Central Virginia helping to alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to lead gifts by the Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band, Batten Family Fund, Adiuvans Relief Fund, Quantitative Foundation, Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, 2 anonymous donors, the City of Charlottesville, County of Albemarle, United Way of Greater Charlottesville, Wells Fargo, Tremaine Family Foundation and the support of more than 200 contributors to date, over $2 million has already been raised.

“We recognize that this crisis has left no one untouched,” Gould said. “Our nonprofit grant partners, as well as businesses, schools, government, the medical community, and other initiatives are navigating not only a loss of routine and security, but also are now carrying new, heavy loads as they care for and protect others. We do not know how long this initial phase of support will be needed, and we will explore additional strategies for the Fund as our region acclimates to the fast-changing situation.”

The Foundation has also announced flexible grant terms for existing partners, including extended grant periods and a reallocation of awarded funds to support operations as needed.

Gould emphasizes her gratitude to community partners United Way of Greater Charlottesville, Cville Community Cares, City of Charlottesville, and County of Albemarle for their swift action to work together on this significant effort for the region.

The Community Emergency Response Fund is accepting donations. To donate click here or (http://bit.ly/2WbL3zO).