We are highlighting a sample of approaches and best practices that are emerging from our members around the state to provide insights on how foundations are supporting their nonprofit partners during this unprecedented crisis.

Here are five things funders can do to be a resource to nonprofits and other grant partners in COVID-19 response and relief efforts.

1. 1. Communicate with Grantees: Staying in contact is key during this time. Recognizing that grant partners have evolving needs during such a dynamic situation, you can ask to learn more about their specific challenges and how you can be helpful. You can also reach out to grantees to let them know of any flexibility you may be adding to your grant application or review process (more on that below), and assure them your foundation is there to support them through this time of uncertainty.

See it in action:

• The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan launched a webpage with COVID-19 information for grant partners and the community and is asking partners to fill out a brief survey to learn about needs in the region that they may share with their donor community.

• The Skillman Foundation's email to all grant partners responding to the situation is another strong example of a grantee communication.

• The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation’s website includes a notice to grantees assuring them of the foundation staff’s continued support and intent to be flexible in helping nonprofits address challenges.

Also, in reaching out to grant partners, you can provide notice of any changes you may be making to existing grant programs, such shifts in grantmaking priorities, staffing, operations or application deadlines.

2. Be Flexible in Grantmaking: Grantees may only have a few months’ worth of cash on-hand, and many nonprofits have cancelled major fundraising events and lost other earned revenue sources. This is an opportunity to show flexibility in grantmaking that can directly impact an organization’s ability to operate during this time. If you don’t already allow unrestricted funding, you can consider changing that policy and also consider changing previously awarded grants to unrestricted grants.

See it in action:

• In a message to its stakeholders, the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation expressed to its grantees: “We remain committed to working alongside you throughout this crisis. We know much of your work has been halted, quite unexpectedly, and this stoppage may have an effect on grant-funded outcomes. We share your disappointment about canceled programs, rescheduled events, office closures and more. We’ll work proactively to be flexible in structuring grant terms, expectations, and payments. Our team has been in contact with nearly all our grant partners, but please feel free to contact us directly if you have any questions.”

• The Ford Foundation shares on its website, “We are acutely aware that this global crisis will manifest differently in different contexts, and therefore requires a lot of customization in our responses...We want to provide you with maximum flexibility in how you use our funds in this time of extraordinary challenge. We know that 'one size will not fit all' so our program officers plan to reach out to you individually to work on the best ways in which we can support you.”

• The William Davidson Foundation shared in a message to its grantees that it will work with them to extend reporting deadlines and meetings, noting, “Foundation staff will work with each of you to amend grant benchmarks that cannot be met as a result of this crisis.”

Grantees may not have the capacity to fulfill all administrative components of a grant right now. You could explore pausing or modifying reporting requirements, site visits and other activities that add to their workload or take focus away their work in service of communities.

3. Collaborate with Other Funders: Many CMF members are creating or supporting community response and relief funds to address needs related to COVID-19, a tool for funders and other partners to collaborate in serving their communities. (Beyond those listed below, there are many more examples featured on CMF's COVID-19 Resource Central webpage.)

See it in action:

• The Hudson-Webber Foundation is sharing resources on Facebook and asking for input from its partners. The foundation shared in part, “The philanthropic community in Detroit is actively in conversation together about how to best respond and support residents and communities and any actions we take should be well informed by you, our partners on the ground.”

• The Consumers Energy Foundation is supporting two statewide organizations - The Food Bank Council of Michigan and the Michigan Association of United Ways - 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. United Ways are leading or collaborating in many local response efforts across the state.

• Community Foundation of St. Clair County has established the COVID-19 Thumbcoast Regional Response Fund to give added support to those organizations on the front lines of caring for and assisting vulnerable populations and those communities where the loss of jobs and benefits, or the closure of institutions and businesses are creating a significant new burden for community members and the social service organizations that provide a safety net for them.

• The Community Foundation of Marquette County launched the COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Marquette County to 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.

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is providing $500,000 to support the efforts of community organizations to provide meals to vulnerable kids and populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. Collaborate with Government and Other Partners: The COVID-19 disruption to daily life is impacting how communities are meeting basic needs and providing essential services. Some members have connected with city officials, school district administrators and other leaders to develop local solutions. Including grantees and the people they serve in these conversations is critical to equitable response efforts and creating opportunity for those closest to the situation to outline their needs, ask questions and highlight areas of concern.

See it in action:

• Community Foundation of Greater Flint announced 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.

• The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for the Holland-Zeeland Area are part of the Care Ottawa County alliance with the United Way of Ottawa County, Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance and Community SPOKE. They are partnering on a COVID-19 web resource that connects the community to opportunities to donate goods, donate funds and volunteer.

5. Serve as a Resource: Grantee, community members and other partners are looking for curated resources to support their varied needs and inform their work. You can provide a centralized location to share free or low-cost resources for e-learning, food access and more.

See it in action:

• The Kresge Foundation has launched a page dedicated to COVID-19 resources for its partners and communities.

• The Saginaw Community Foundation has compiled and posted on its website a list of food distribution sites for students/children in Saginaw County.

We have these examples and more live on CMF’s COVID-19 Resource Central.