The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham is dedicating more than $1 million from its competitive grantmaking funds for a first phase of response to the COVID-19 crisis.

In an announcement this afternoon, the foundation said it is reacting to what national infectious disease experts and government officials say will be one of the most significant economic, health and human services challenges the country has faced.

The Community Foundation, in addition to reallocating funds, has opened the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to provide additional resources. “We have been overwhelmed at the support we’ve received from generous donors and corporations so far,” said Christopher Nanni, president & CEO of CFGB “Their generosity is giving us the additional financial resources to help even more people through this crisis.”

CFGB will begin to make grants quickly available to organizations on the front lines of providing critical services and economic assistance in the Birmingham region.

These rapid response grants will support organizations with up to $25,000 and will address the immediate and basic needs of economically vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19. That includes programs focused on:

• Job and income loss
• Supply of and access to food
• Access to housing needs
• Access to medical care
• Needs around child care, transportation and other supportive services
• Needs around mental health
• Needs around education for children
• Other critical services that have been disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis.

The Community Foundation also is offering nonprofit adaptation grants to organizations whose operations have been adversely impacted by COVID-19.?These grants will help organizations avoid disruptions in their service delivery.

“When a crisis like this strikes, our nonprofits are on the front lines with other first responders,” Nanni said. “We believe in providing funding to ensure that these organizations are best positioned to help our communities in moments of critical need.”

Organizations can apply on the Community Foundation’s website at cfbham.org. Applications for these grants will be accepted on a rolling basis through the end of May, after which the foundation will reevaluate community needs. Grants will be made regularly throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly to address evolving needs.

“This is the first step in a long road ahead,” Nanni said, “and we will continue to assess the everchanging landscape in order to identify prevailing needs and respond accordingly.”

CFGB surveyed local nonprofit organizations  and found 83% of those reporting said they were not able to provide services to the same extent as customary. The foundation heard from 250 organizations. CFGB serves Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount and Walker counties.

To learn more about Emergency Response Grants or make a donation to the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund visit www.cfbham.org/covid-19-response-fund.