Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau Counties Urgent Needs Fund
Donations will be used to grant funds to local nonprofit, governmental, and educational organizations that are providing vital services such as access to food and basic hygiene, caring for senior citizens, supporting utility and rental assistance, and overall basic needs that are impacting and benefitting communities across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties. The Urgent Needs Fund received initial funding from several CMF members including the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, Oleson Foundation, Rotary Charities of Traverse City, DTE Foundation, Herrington-Fitch Family Foundation and Jim and Diana Huckle Family Foundation.
Barry County Funds (Basic Needs, Education, Economy, Health & Wellness)
The Barry County Community Foundation provides multiple community funds: Basic Needs, Education, Economy and Health & Wellness. The Basic Needs fund will be used to provide pass through funding for special needs in Barry County during troubled economic times to help families and children in need.
Bay and Arenac Counties Response Funds
Administered by the Bay Area Community Foundation, the COVID-19 Community Response Funds for Bay and Arenac Counties will provide flexible resources to organizations in the area working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus and the economic consequences of this outbreak.
Branch County and Colon Forever Fund – Emergency Relief
The Branch County Community Foundation Forever Fund for Emergency Relief helps address emerging and emergency needs due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in Branch County and Colon.
Capital Region Nonprofit Support
The Capital Region is accepting contributions to help human services nonprofits with staffing and other shortages so they can meet critical needs in the community. All donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $1 million.
Charlevoix County Community Foundation Urgent Needs Fund
The Urgent Needs Fund was established with the help of the Frey Foundation and local donors during the Great Recession in 2008 and 2009, when local families were hit hard. The fund provided support for partner organizations that could offer help with emergency food, utility, heating and housing needs. The community foundation has mobilized resources from the Urgent Needs Fund and others to respond to the developing COVID-19 crisis that is impacting and will continue to impact many friends and neighbors across Charlevoix County.
Community Foundation for Livingston County
The Community Foundation for Livingston County is providing seven grants totaling $75,000 to meet targeted emerging community needs during the COVID-19 crisis.
Fremont Area Community Response Fund
The Fremont Area Community Foundation established the Community Response Fund to rapidly deploy resources to nonprofit organizations in Newaygo County as well as the three counties served by its affiliate foundations: Lake, Mecosta and Osceola. The fund will provide quick help to organizations serving vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19.
Grand Haven Emergency Human Needs Fund
This fund will provide critical support to agencies providing vital services such as access to food and basic hygiene, caring for senior citizens and overall basic needs. The fund is housed at the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation.
Grand Traverse Urgent Needs Fund
Funds are available through Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation to organizations providing direct service to those who are immediately impacted by COVID-19. Donations to the fund will be used to grant funds to local nonprofit, governmental and educational organizations that are providing vital services such as access to food and basic hygiene, caring for senior citizens, supporting utility and rental assistance and overall basic needs that are impacting and benefitting communities across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau Counties.
Greater Flint Urgent Relief Fund
The Greater Flint Urgent Relief Fund has been established by a coalition of philanthropic, government and business partners to quickly coordinate and deploy resources to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Flint area that are working with communities disproportionately affected by the coronavirus outbreak. This fund is supported by the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.
Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation
The South Haven Emergency Response Fund is a new restricted fund intended to provide immediate support to non-profits. The SHCF Board has also become a collaborative partner with Southwest Michigan Cares Fund in an effort to provide emergency grant resources to non-profits in Southwest Michigan (Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties).
Hillsdale County Emergency Relief Fund
The Hillsdale County Community Foundation has created an Emergency Relief Fund to address the immediate needs of the most vulnerable community members. With this fund, HCCF will be able to make emergency grants to local nonprofits responding to the emergent needs in Hillsdale County.
Holland/Zeeland Emergency Human Needs Fund
This fund will provide critical support to agencies providing vital services such as access to food and basic hygiene, caring for our senior citizens and overall basic needs. The fund is housed at the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area.
Huron County Community Foundation
This fund will provide emergency assistance funding to local organizations that are going above and beyond their typical operations to assist the community during this time. Grants can be used for operations costs, which is typically not a qualified grant per HCCF policies
Isabella County COVID-19 Community Response Fund
Administered by the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, the COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Isabella County will provide flexible resources to organizations in our area working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic impact of this outbreak.
Jackson County Response Fund
The Jackson Community Foundation and United Way of Jackson County and have jointly established the COVID-19 Response Fund. The funds will be used to meet the basic needs of residents to include diapers, food and essential items, as well as nonprofits who help those individuals and the long-term implications of the crisis.
Jewish Federation COVID-19 Emergency Campaign
The Jewish Fund, a CMF member, provided a grant of $500,000 to the Jewish Federation’s COVID-19 Emergency Campaign supporting urgent and recovery needs, targeting older adults, families with mental/physical health needs, emergency financial support, people with disabilities, food access and personal protective equipment.
Kalamazoo and Battle Creek Region Urgent Relief Funds
The Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) in partnership with United Way Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region has activated its respective community crisis relief funds to address emerging needs surfacing in key services for their most vulnerable community members. The Battle Creek Community Foundation is also a contributor to the United Way fund. Contributions will be used to assist with immediate and anticipated direct service needs, such as: access to food, child care and nonprofit operation.
Kent County Coronavirus Relief Fund
Heart of West Michigan United Way, in partnership with local foundations and funders, has established a Kent County Coronavirus Response Fund for people to donate to help meet immediate needs in the community related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will support the nonprofits who are serving vulnerable populations during this time. United Way will match up to $50,000 in donations. The Fund partners who are CMF members include Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Consumers Energy Foundation, Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation, Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation, Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation, DTE Energy Foundation, Frey Foundation, General Motors, Jandernoa Foundation, Steelcase Foundation and Wege Foundation.
Kent County COVID-19 Recovery Fund
The Kent County COVID-19 Recovery Fund is a fund of Grand Rapids Community Foundation established to respond to the near and long-term impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the most marginalized in our community, especially communities of color. This fund will be a vehicle for the community foundation and its donor partners to pool resources to collectively support the recovery of nonprofits and small businesses serving those disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kent County COVID-19 Recovery Fund will be non-endowed to ensure dollars will be used to rapidly respond to the evolving crisis and long-term plans for recovery.
Lansing Area COVID-19 Nonprofit Support Fund
The Capital Region Community Foundation has created the COVID-19 Nonprofit Support Fund to assist nonprofits that are struggling financially due to the pandemic. All donations to this fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Community Foundation, up to $1 million. Priority funding is initially focused on supporting 501(c)(3) nonprofits whose mission is to provide direct human services in any of the following areas: food, shelter, medical and mental health care, and homeless support. Funding priorities may shift over time to meet the region’s changing needs. Grants and loans may be made from this fund to support staffing costs, technology and other infrastructure needs that allow nonprofits to provide services.
Lapeer County Emergency Relief Fund
The Lapeer County Community Foundation has established the Lapeer County Emergency Relief Fund to quickly coordinate and deploy resources to nonprofit, governmental and educational organizations in Lapeer County and to serve as a centralized point of giving and distribution of financial assistance. LCCF is working in collaboration with local partners in providing emergency assistance funding to support the organizations caring for and assisting vulnerable populations throughout Lapeer County as we navigate these unprecedented times.
Lenawee Community Foundation Response Fund
The Lenawee Community Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund was established to assist nonprofits as they serve Lenawee residents with their basic needs. A dollar-for-dollar match is being provided from the Lenawee Cares endowment. The Lenawee Cares program of the foundation is an annual campaign and grantmaking process, established by the community at the request of Lenawee United Way when it disbanded in 2016. The campaign sets aside 10% of annual gifts for an endowment for health and human services. The foundation also produces a Community Resource Guide and serves as the community volunteer center, linking people to volunteer opportunities at nonprofits.
Manistee County Community Relief Fund
Established through a cooperative effort between the Manistee County Community Foundation, United Way of Manistee County and the Manistee County Human Services Collaborative Body, the Community Response Fund will be used to quickly move resources to where they are most needed and to adapt to evolving needs. In addition to providing support for organizations assisting affected members of the community, the fund will also ensure community collaboration and coordination of services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund is intended to help bridge funding gaps not met by nonprofit, local, state and federal programs.
Marinette and Menominee Counties Impact Fund
The M&M Area Community Foundation has activated an Impact Fund to foster a unified philanthropic response to address the impact of COVID-19 in communities throughout Marinette and Menominee Counties. The Impact Fund will make grant awards to help nonprofits whose resources are, and will continue to be, strained by this unprecedented event. Initial funding of $20,000 is being provided by the M&M Area Community Foundation. Individuals looking to contribute are invited to contact the MMACF Executive Director Paula Gruszynski.
Marquette County Community Response Fund
Administered by the Community Foundation of Marquette County, the COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Marquette County will provide flexible resources to organizations in our area working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic impact of this outbreak.
Midland County Response/Disaster Relief Fund
The Midland Area Community Foundation (MACF) has launched the Midland County COVID-19 Response/Disaster Relief Fund to provide for response both short- and long-term in Midland County as needed in consultation with the Midland County COVID-19 Coalition. MACF is putting $500,000 into the response fund, half for nonprofit support and half for individual assistance. The foundation is working in tandem with United Way of Midland County on the allocation of nonprofit grant funds. In addition, MACF placed $250,000 in a 0% business loan fund (the "COVID-19 Impact Investing Project Fund”) to help small businesses in the county that have been impacted by COVID-19 in order to deliver immediate short-term assistance. MACF has shared that they will match up to $250,000 to either the COVID-19 Response Fund or the COVID-19 Impact Investment Fund.
Montcalm and Ionia County Crisis Fund
The Greenville Area Community Foundation is advising community members to support the United Way of Montcalm and Ionia Counties. Their COVID-19 Crisis Fund aims to ensure resources for planning in times of instability and for recovery when disaster strikes. Dollars are directed to 501(c)3 organizations for use that may include direct services, coordination of relief efforts, coordination of relief volunteers and costs related to building and sustaining relief infrastructure. They have shared that 100% of donations stay local to Montcalm and Ionia Counties for basic needs supports.
Muskegon County Response Fund
United Way of the Lakeshore and the Community Foundation for Muskegon County are working collaboratively to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus on local families and members of the community. A COVID-19 Response Fund has been created at the United Way with seed money from the community foundation, United Way and corporate partners Meijer and the Consumers Energy Foundation. The funds will be used to support organizations on the front line serving the Muskegon County community.
Otsego County Response Fund
This fund will provide critical support to local agencies providing vital services such as access to food and personal care items, services for senior citizens and overall basic needs. This fund is supported by the Otsego Community Foundation.
Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Essential Needs Fund
The community foundation is utilizing its Essential Needs Fund to provide important support to its nonprofit partners who are offering emergency relief to families and individuals in need and to support their nonprofit partners who have experienced financial hardship in their operations due to COVID-19.
Pontiac Community Foundation
The Pontiac Community Foundation is leading the COVID-19 Emergency Response Efforts for the Greater Pontiac Community in partnership with Oakland University, MyCovidResponse.Org, Lighthouse and a host of community partners.
Roscommon County Community Foundation Urgent Needs Fund for COVID-19 Response
The Roscommon County Community Foundation Board of Trustees, in partnership with grant funding from the DTE Foundation, established the Urgent Needs Fund. The Urgent Needs Fund is accepting grant applications for needs related directly to COVID-19. Our ultimate goal is to be sure that organizations working with the people and families who are most vulnerable and disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus and economic consequences of the outbreak are supported. Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, and government agencies.
Saginaw Emergency Relief Fund
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sanilac County Community Foundation (SCCF) is providing emergency assistance funding to local organizations that are going above and beyond their typical operations to assist the community during this time. These grants can be used for operations costs, which is typically not a qualified grant per SCCF policies.
The Saginaw Community Foundation is hosting the Saginaw Community Foundation Emergency Relief Fund to help address current and anticipated local needs surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak.
Shiawassee Community Cares Fund
The Shiawassee Community Foundation is accepting contributions for their Shiawassee Community Cares fund for COVID-19. Donations from this fund will be used to provide grants for nonprofit organizations who are struggling to survive as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Southeastern Michigan United Way Community Response Fund
DTE Energy, the Gilbert Family Foundation, Quicken Loans Community Fund, The Skillman Foundation, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, Ford Motor Company Fund, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan are all contributors to this fund, which will be used for a multitude of efforts to help with recovery, including: food distribution to students affected by school closures and other vulnerable populations that are isolated or lack access; availability of shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness who do not have the resources needed to stay safe; operational funding gaps for health and human service agencies; loss of income and access to services for vulnerable populations; and supporting college students who face barriers as they complete their education.
Southeast Michigan COVID-19 Community Assistance Fund
In response to the impact of COVID-19, the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation has created a fund to assist organizations responding to the emerging critical needs of impoverished, vulnerable children, families and individuals, residing in the foundation’s geographic focus areas of Southeast Michigan, City and County of Denver, CO and the Aspen-Parachute Corridor in Colorado.
Southeast Michigan Arts and Creative Community Assistance Fund
CultureSource and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan have launched a regional fund to assist the cultural sector during the COVID-19 crisis. It is designed to deploy resources within a framework—Research, Relief and Resiliency, and Innovation. Initial funding partners include the following CMF members: the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, DeRoy Testamentary Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Kresge Foundation and Peck Foundation.
Southeast Michigan COVID-19 Relief Funds (General, Health, Small Business)
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM), The DMC Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation are among the CMF members and other donors who have contributed to the COVID-19 Relief Funds. The “COVID-19 Relief Fund for Southeast Michigan” supports immediate and long-term unmet needs of our community and local nonprofits. The “Health COVID-19 Relief Fund Southeast Michigan” supports the urgent health-related needs of our community and local nonprofits. The “COVID-19 Small Business Loan Relief Fund” is for needs of small businesses in Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck that have benefited from NEI support.
The Southwest Michigan Cares Fund
The Berrien Community Foundation and United Way of Southwest Michigan are working together to administer the fund. The initial focus area of the fund is immediate response for nonprofits providing emergent basic human needs. The fund will then consider grants addressing the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Other supporters include the Hanson Family Foundation, Spectrum Health Lakeland, Whirlpool Corp., the American Electric Power Foundation, the Frederick S. Upton Foundation, Meijer and individual donors.
Sturgis Area Community Foundation
Sturgic Area Community Foundation launched the Sturgis Community Emergency Hardship Fund. Emergency Hardship Grants are available to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Three Rivers COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
The Three Rivers Area Community Foundation has committed $10,000 to the Emergency Relief Fund and will match an additional $10,000 in received donations to provide direct financial assistance to local residents who have been impacted by community-wide quarantining measures. This includes individuals who have lost jobs or working hours, and who have encountered other financial hardships due to coronavirus restrictions. Additional phases of the Emergency Relief Fund will address the economic recovery once the crisis subsides by provide grants to our area nonprofit organizations and small business partners.
Thumb Coast Regional Response Fund
Any gifts made to the fund will support local nonprofit organizations, schools and appropriate units of local government who are on the front lines of helping our region manage this evolving crisis. This fund was created by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.
Tuscola County Emergency Needs Fund
The purpose of this Emergency Needs Fund shall be to provide support for emergent needs that arise for residents residing in Tuscola County. Priority emergent needs are defined as food, clothing and shelter. Secondary needs can include organizations that are “first responders” in times of community crisis. This fund was created by the Tuscola County Community Foundation.
United Methodist Retirement Communities
The United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC) Foundation and Porter Hills Foundation have come together to build extra emergency support for their "Health Heroes.” In addition to a number of initiatives they’ve launched to support caregivers and frontline team members, the fund will be used for other direct care needs that may emerge as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds. Gifts will be matched, dollar for dollar, thanks to a generous challenge grant. All contributions remain local.
Washtenaw County Community Relief Fund
The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation is among the organizations supporting the United Way of Washtenaw County's COVID-19 Community Relief Fund to help meet critical and emerging needs of the local community amid the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, funds will go toward helping nonprofit agencies meet the needs of those most vulnerable during the crisis, including children, those who need food, families facing loss of income due to health issues, business closures and those currently experiencing a housing crisis.
A listing of local United Way response and relief funds can be found here.
The National Center for Family Philanthropy also maintains an interactive map of funds including and outside of Michigan.
Examples of Michigan-based Foundations Giving in Response to COVID-19
Some foundations are also making contributions directly to nonprofits. These are just a few examples:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is providing $500,000 to support the efforts of community-based organizations across Michigan to provide meals to vulnerable children due to school closures, and efforts to protect seniors and other populations in need.
The Consumers Energy Foundation is supporting two statewide organizations with a $500,000 contribution to help enhance critical services for Michigan children, vulnerable seniors and those who may need assistance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Food Bank Council of Michigan and the Michigan Association of United Ways will each receive $250,000. Consumers Energy has also enhanced its Matching Gifts Program focusing on matching employee contributions to food banks/pantries, homeless shelters, community foundations and the United Way. Through May 31 donations from CMS and Consumers Energy employees will be matched without restriction.
The Children's Foundation announced COVID-19 emergency response funding to assist existing local partners with supplemental grant awards during these unprecedented times to help ensure their immediate ability to serve Michigan families enduring economic hardships and support the sustainability of these organizations. Urgent needs range from food donations, diapers and formula, to technology to transition mental health in-person visits to telehealth. Grant awards are expected to total $250,000.
Submit a Relief & Response Fund
Are you aware of a relief and response fund led by or supported by Michigan philanthropy not listed here? Contact CMF.