Across the state we are seeing response efforts powered by partnerships and the collaborative action of Michigan philanthropy.

Regional urgent relief funds and collaborative grantmaking are two key areas where we’re seeing rapid growth statewide. We hope sharing these stories from across the CMF membership can support continued conversation and learning as we navigate this crisis together.

There are numerous coordinated COVID-19 public health grantmaking efforts underway.

The Michigan Health Endowment Fund is partnering with the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation, the Metro Health Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation to accelerate telehealth in Michigan.

Last week the Health Fund announced the group awarded nearly $3 million to 61 Michigan organizations to ramp up their remote care efforts. The Health Fund shared that the partnership and grants were expedited in response to public health risks of in-person care due to COVID-19.

“Telehealth is a key strategy for expanding access to care, and we’ve supported this work for a number of years,” Becky Cienki, program director, the Health Fund said. “The current urgency underscores this ongoing need, and our goal is for these projects to both spur immediate action and create lasting infrastructure for telehealth.”

CMF is also tracking the establishment of urgent relief funds across the state. Many of the funds are addressing essential needs such as food, health, housing, child care and nonprofit support. Some are dedicated to small businesses in particular, and others to specialty areas such as the arts. To date CMF has captured more than 30 urgent relief funds created by or in partnership with our members.

Many members are partnering with their local United Ways to stand up these relief funds. More than a dozen CMF members are supporting the COVID-19 Community Response Fund hosted by the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. DTE Foundation has been matching all donations to the fund through today, April 13. As of April 6, the fund had provided nearly $4 million in grants to 116 community partners across Southeast Michigan.

Up North, the Urgent Needs Fund at the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation has received support from at least six other CMF members: Oleson Foundation, Rotary Charities of Traverse City, DTE Foundation, Herrington-Fitch Family Foundation, Huckle Family Foundation and Art and Mary Schmuckal Family Foundation. The fund has already deployed grants for basic needs, food distribution, downtown business support and telehealth counseling services and more.

The Charlevoix County Community Foundation is mobilizing resources from its Urgent Needs Fund to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. The community foundation shared online that this fund originated from a partnership with the Frey Foundation and local donors during the Great Recession to provide support for partner organizations. Now, more than a decade later it’s once again providing support for critical resources.

The United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC) Foundation is partnering with Porter Hills Foundation to build extra emergency support for their caregivers and frontline workers who are caring for seniors at their facilities. 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.

Want more?

To date CMF has captured more than 30 urgent relief funds on our COVID-19 Resource Central webpage created by or in partnership with CMF members. Are you aware of a relief and response fund led by or supported by Michigan philanthropy not listed? If so, contact CMF.