There are no confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) being reported in Michigan at this time but there are contingency plans in place from the governor’s office and state agencies to help keep communities safe and mitigate any potential impact on state operations, education, health care and the workforce.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has launched four different COVID task forces “to combat the spread of coronavirus and assess the impact it may have on Michiganders’ day-to-day lives.”

As Michigan and other states put plans in motion to prepare for potential cases of the virus, CMF has been monitoring the situation and staying connected with members and our national partners to learn what philanthropy can do to prepare, both internally and in supporting communities. We've also gathered policies and resources that funders can implement in the case of a local COVID-19 outbreak, and to have available in the future should a natural or manmade disaster impacts a foundation’s service area. 

Last week our team joined the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s (CDP) webinar on COVID-19 which highlighted how philanthropy can prepare and respond. Experts from the CDC Foundation, National Center for Disaster Preparedness and Give2Asia joined the call to provide various perspectives on the domestic and global needs emerging from the spread of COVID-19.

Jeff Schlegelmilch, deputy director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness shared on the webinar that local funders, particularly community foundations, can serve a vital role in addressing preparedness, response and mitigation.

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) shares, "Local knowledge is important. As this disease spreads, understanding cultures and community needs will be critical. Allow local leaders and organizations on the ground to develop the programming as needs arise."

The CDP further notes, "There are going to be multiple phases and needs in this crisis – the medical response situation, support for research and assisting vulnerable people who have been impacted. Match your giving to one of these areas or decide how you will transition funds as needs change."

On the webinar, the CDP advised that foundations also take the time now to develop internal emergency procedures.

Disaster preparedness plans many include:

• Emergency Grantmaking Funds/Policies: Foundations can prepare for any potential emergency or disaster situation impacting their local region or service area by creating (or updating) an emergency grantmaking policy.  

• Remote Worker Policy: As part of the CDC recommendations, organizations within impacted regions may require that staff work remotely. To prepare for this possibility, foundations can create or review their remote worker policy, which may be contained within a broader HR/staff handbook or related policy. 

• Board Procedures: In an effort to be prepared for a situation that could impact board meetings or organizational decision making, foundations have an opportunity to examine their existing board procedures, which should be reviewed periodically. (Boards should review their bylaws, and other board documents as needed, before making decisions or holding votes outside of regularly scheduled, normally formatted meetings of the full board.) While virtual meetings may be an option for foundations, please use caution before utilizing phone or online meetings for board meetings and voting. If this is not a standard practice of the foundation, foundations are advised to contact their legal counsel for clarification regarding board procedures.

• Event Continency Plans: Depending on recommendations for local areas, foundations may need to develop contingency plans for in-person meetings and events, especially for large gatherings. For CMF, the health and safety of our members and staff attending Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) is paramount. CMF and many other organizations participating in or hosting national conferences for the sector have been sharing procedures being implemented to assist with attendees’ safety. The United Philanthropy Forum, the lead organization planning FOTH, is working closely with event venues regarding preparations and precautions being taken given current concerns around the spread of COVID-19. Beyond the CDC's recommendations about handwashing, the Forum shares “We encourage you to use your own judgment regarding actions like shaking hands and exchanging business cards.”

• Stay Connected: In preparing for any disaster situation, including the COVID-19 outbreak, foundations may want to ensure they have an internal communications plan in place to let staff and trustees know how they will be contacted in the event of urgent updates and alerts, and what responsibilities individual staff may have to contact colleagues, vendors, event partners and others. It is also important for the foundation to stay connected with local officials. Foundations may actively work with localized efforts and can make preparations that further larger regional plans for disaster situations.

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy continues to share resources and information for the sector on COVID-19.

This Thursday, March 12, you can also join a webinar hosted by Philanthropy California and the United Philanthropy Forum: How Philanthropy Can Support and Enhance the Government Response to COVID-19.

Want more?

Visit the CMF Knowledge Center for a collection of disaster philanthropy curated resources.

CMF members with questions about these resources and how to prepare for emergencies can reach CMF staff at any time or reach out via our Ask CMF service.  

Check out the Council on Foundations’ Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan.

For YAC programs and other youth-oriented needs check out Learning to Give’s Disaster Preparation and Response Toolkit.