By the Joining Vision and Action team

Last updated March 29, 2021.

Funders’ efforts to support nonprofits amid the COVID-19 outbreak have continued to grow, and JVA is committed to keeping changemakers up to date on the opportunities that exist.

For information tailored to your specific organization, please consider JVA’s Funding Research.

Also see JVA’s blogs on What’s in This Massive $2.2 Trillion Stimulus Legislation?, CARES Act Loans, Credits and Other Support for Nonprofits and, most recently, What’s in the Latest Round of Federal Stimulus Funding?

This blog will be updated as new information becomes available.

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Colorado funders

The following Colorado government entities and foundations have indicated they are establishing funds related specifically to COVID-19:

National funders

Additionally, the following national funders have stated they will allot funds for organizations facing challenges related to COVID-19:

  • Twilio.org is providing $10 million in grants, $1 million in product credits, and committing 1,000 volunteer hours to support organizations that are helping underserved communities get vaccinated. Join the funder’s webinar on March 31, 2021, for more info. Deadline is rolling, until funds are expended.
  • The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation: COVID-19 Social Impact Theatre Innovation Awards will support applicants offering programs during the COVID-19 pandemic that encourage social change in local communities. Deadline is April 16, 2021.
  • The COVID-19 Telehealth Program provides immediate support to eligible health care providers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by fully funding their telecommunications services, information services, and devices necessary to provide critical connected care services. The second round of funding was approved in December 2020 and is pending; monitor the above site for updates.
  • The Business and Industry CARES Act Guaranteed Loan Program offers loan guarantees to lenders for their loans to rural businesses and agricultural producers to supplement their working capital to prevent, prepare for and respond to the economic impacts of the coronavirus. Deadline is September 15, 2021, or when funds are expended.
  • Open Road Alliance: COVID-19 Response Charitable Grants aim to reduce the economic and social hardships experienced by communities due to the COVID-19 emergency by supporting organizations engaging in direct COVID-19 response. Open Road Alliance will also offer COVID-19 loans (same page) to support mid-implementation projects facing an unexpected roadblock due to the effects of the pandemic. Deadlines are rolling.
  • The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Housing Assistance Program COVID-19 Funds will address fair housing issues related to the coronavirus public health emergency. Eligible applicants are state and local agencies that are currently participating in the Fair Housing Assistance Program. Deadline is rolling.
  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Public Assistance Simplified Application will provide funding for costs related to emergency protective measures conducted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency protective measures are activities conducted to address immediate threats to life, public health, and safety.
  • The National Geographic COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists will support local coverage of the preparation, response and impact of this global pandemic as seen through evidence-based reporting. Beyond reporting on medical and physical health related to COVID-19, reporting that covers social, emotional, economic and equity issues is especially encouraged.
  • GENYOUth COVID-19 Emergency School Nutrition Funding will provide grants of up to $3,000 per school to support K-12 school meal distribution and delivery to students during the COVID-19 public health crisis to ensure that children continue to receive the nutritious meals they need. Deadline is rolling.
  • The First Responders Children’s Foundation: COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund: Agency Grant will support first responders and their families who are enduring financial hardship due to the coronavirus outbreak.
  • The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is providing funding to help healthcare providers purchase telecommunications, broadband connectivity, information services and devices necessary for providing telehealth services. The FCC Telehealth Program is open to nonprofits including: post-secondary educational institutions offering healthcare instruction, teaching hospitals and medical schools, community health centers, local health departments or agencies, community mental health centers, not-for-profit hospitals, rural health clinics, skilled nursing facilities or consortia of healthcare providers consisting of one or more entities falling into the first seven categories.
  • The Pollination Project provides micro-grants, including to organizations responding to COVID-19.
  • The Emergent Fund will support the work of current and prospective grantees as they meet the needs of their communities related to COVID-19. Emergent Fund prioritizes grassroots organizing and power building in Indigenous communities and communities of color who are facing injustice based on racial, ethnic, religious and other forms of discrimination.
  • Good360, which delivers donated goods to disaster sites, asks nonprofits in need of products for COVID-19 response and prevention to complete a brief form.

Community foundations

Throughout the state, community foundations have supported nonprofits and individuals. At this point, some have paused their COVID-19 grantmaking; however, we suggest you check the following sites frequently for further rounds:

JVA will continue to monitor funding opportunities related to COVID-19, and, as always, we encourage you to reach out to us if you’d like the team to conduct more in-depth research on specific opportunities to meet the needs of your particular organization.