We've launched a new page on our website: COVID-19 Recovery. Click here for the most up to date information about our response.
During this unprecedented time of COVID-19, Grand Rapids Community Foundation´s staff is working hard to maintain our near 100-year legacy of responding to the community’s most pressing needs. We are actively communicating and collaborating with our community partners to ensure a swift response to the immediate needs. We also recognize the long-term impact this crisis will have on our community and are preparing for an extended response.
We are encouraged as our partners and neighbors are activating to help one another. Across Kent County individuals, nonprofits, schools, businesses and community groups are working to slow the spread and looking out for their neighbors and those most at risk.
The Community Foundation has activated resources to partner with the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan in translation efforts, ensuring every member of our community has information and resources needed during this crisis.
Nonprofit needs assessment
The Community Foundation has also convened with local foundations and funders to prepare for an extended response to address the near and long-term implications the COVID-19 pandemic will have on area nonprofits and small businesses. In an effort to understand how to best support our nonprofit partners during this time, this group has developed a short survey to inform our responses. With this survey, we hope that local nonprofit partners will share information about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their organization and help us get an understanding of their immediate, short and long-term needs. The Nonprofit Needs Assessment Survey is now closed.
Opportunities to show support
A fund of our Community Foundation, the Kent County COVID-19 Recovery Fund has been established to respond to the near and long-term impacts this pandemic will have on our community — some which aren’t yet known. More information about the fund, including how it will address racial, social and economic inequities that are intensified in times of crisis, is available on the COVID-19 Recovery page of the Community Foundation website.
Heart of West Michigan United Way has collaborated with the Community Foundation and other local foundations and funders to establish a Kent County Coronavirus Response Fund for people to donate to help meet immediate needs, such as housing, food and shelter, related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For volunteer opportunities, we recommend you contact Heart of West Michigan United Way or Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network.
Information and resources
If you are seeking more information about COVID-19, below are some resources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Website
- Access Kent: Kent County's COVID-19 Updates
Translation and interpretation services:
Call, email and connect
To proactively protect the health and well-being of our staff, their families and our community, the Community Foundation staff will be shifting to a work-from-home schedule beginning Monday, March 16. While our office building is closed our operations will continue remotely. You can reach our team in most of the ways you normally might, including by phone or email. Click here for contact information for our staff team.
We are confident in our ability to maintain organizational operations and meet our commitments to our staff, community and donor partners using established tools and processes.
As we continue to monitor and respond to community needs, updates will be available on our website and social media platforms @GRCommFound.
Updated on March 27, 2020. All new information will be on our COVID-19 Recovery Page.