Fundraising efforts continue as over $2.7 million is already secured to support local nonprofits serving economically vulnerable.

The city’s nonprofit organizations are on the front lines of serving those hit hardest by the COVID-19 outbreak. To support their efforts, the San Antonio Area Foundation has teamed up with John L. Santikos Charitable FoundationUnited Way of San Antonio and Bexar CountyCity of San AntonioBexar County80|20 FoundationTobin EndowmentGreehey Family FoundationKronkosky Charitable FoundationWells Fargo,  JPMorgan Chase & Co.Mays Family FoundationBank of San AntonioNuStar EnergyH. E. Butt Foundation, and Harvey E. Najim and the Najim Charitable Foundation to launch a COVID-19 Response Fund. The fund will support nonprofit organizations serving communities disproportionately and negatively affected by the health, economic, education, housing and social impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.

As of March 20, the fund is valued at over $2.7 million, and partners aligned to this effort are growing exponentially. The Area Foundation is hosting the fund, waiving administrative fees, and encouraging businesses and philanthropic partners to join in the response. Individuals can also join the effort with donations of $25 or more to the Fund at the United Way’s site at www.helpsatx.org or text HELPSATX to 41444. 

The fund will provide grants to local nonprofits addressing five key areas: the economic impact of reduced and lost work due to the broader coronavirus outbreak; the immediate needs of economically vulnerable populations caused by COVID-19 related closures; increased demand for medical information and support; fear and confusion about the outbreak amongst our most vulnerable residents; and resources available for families of school-aged children. 

Grants will be provided on a rolling basis to ensure dollars are deployed in the community quickly and responsively.

“This fund will support trusted nonprofit leaders and providers in our community to quickly address the most pressing local needs,” said Marjie French, CEO for the Area Foundation. “Our goal is to provide grants immediately and then on an ongoing basis to cover both acute urgent needs and longer term recovery. I am deeply thankful for the caring spirit of our philanthropic community and the generous partners who have joined us at this important time in our community’s history.” 

“Supporting our community through these challenging times is at the heart of the work we do every day at the United Way,” said Chris Martin, CEO for the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County. “Strengthening the infrastructure of our nonprofit network is critical to the immediate response and longer-term recovery for our community’s children, individuals and families.”  

“The COVID-19 Response Fund is a perfect vehicle for combining efforts to help the community when it matters the most,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I am grateful to the organizations that launched this effort, and I encourage everyone to participate. The fund is a way to truly make a difference in lives disrupted.”

The fund is now accepting applications from local nonprofit organizations. Applications are available online at www.saafdn.org/covid19fund. Decisions will be made within 10 business days and awards will be made electronically. The rapid-response grants will be one-time, general operating investments.

The San Antonio Area Foundation and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County will work in close collaboration with San Antonio and Bexar County’s health authorities to ensure that both the scope of the fund and the grants awarded meet the greatest needs in communities disproportionately impacted by the outbreak. 

The Area Foundation and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County continue to actively raise funds for the response effort to enable multiple rounds of support as the community needs and challenges evolve. Businesses and philanthropic entities may contact Lisa Brunsvold at lbrunsvold@saafdn.org or 210-228-3760 to join the effort. Individuals interested in making a donation to the Fund of $25 or more can do so through the United Way’s options, such as www.helpsatx.org or texting HELPSATX to 41444. All the partners engaged in this effort will be actively working to address community needs.

Coverage of this release has been published by the Rivard Report and Express-News.