Community Foundation Announces Funding for COVID-19 Initiatives and Unexpected Operating Expenses of Local Nonprofits

New Britain, Conn., March 25, 2020 – The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB) has taken immediate action to aid local nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the community’s needs increase and continue to change, so does the uncertainty facing nonprofits and their staff.

In order to provide relevant support in a timely fashion, the Foundation’s Community Initiatives Committee has allocated $50,000 from its resources to support emergency initiatives that will respond to the needs of residents as a result the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee will begin immediately accepting grant applications for up to $5,000 through a unique application found on the Foundation’s website at www.cfgnb.org/covid-19.

Additionally, the Foundation’s Community Response Grants Committee will be accepting requests specifically for operating support as a response to the unusual and unexpected financial effects of the pandemic. These grants can be used to fund overhead expenses such as rent, salaries, and other day-to-day costs of running an organization. These grants will have a separate application, which can be found on their website at www.cfgnb.org/covid-19. The committee has also changed the next letter of intent deadline to an earlier May 1st in order to accommodate organizations that need to request funding before the fall. More information on the next round of grants can be found at www.cfgnb.org/applying-for-a-grant/.

“Through the generosity of donors who continually support our funds and programs, committees who work directly with nonprofits, and an exceptional board of directors and staff, our Foundation is positioned well to lead philanthropic efforts in the communities we serve,” says Dave Obedzinski, CFGNB President. “This public health crisis is unlike anything we have witnessed before and it requires that we adjust our procedures, reallocate resources, and work to provide assistance as quickly as possible to nonprofit organizations – the essential fabric of our social support network. When we make these adjustments effectively we can help them weather the storm and continue to serve the most vulnerable in our Greater New Britain area.”

The Foundation has also made a grant of $5,000 to the United Way of Northeastern and Central Connecticut’s Neighbors in Need Emergency Assistance Fund which will help members of the community during and after the government shutdown by providing healthy food, rental, and utility assistance. This gift is made at a time where nonprofit collaboration is key to the success of our communities and the people within them.

“Several days ago, our Foundation joined hundreds of other foundations nationwide in making a pledge through the Council on Foundations in order to provide grantee partners with the flexibility and grace to respond appropriately in this moment. This means that after consultation with our nonprofit grant recipients, we may loosen or eliminate the restrictions on current grants, convert project-based grants to unrestricted support, and make new grants as unrestricted as possible; enabling access to operational support so our nonprofit partners have maximum flexibility to respond to this crisis and survive,” says Obedzinski.

During this exceptional time as the Foundation pivots to respond to the community in multiple ways, gifts to the Foundation’s Civic Leadership Fund by individuals, businesses, or groups will support the organization’s efforts. To make a gift to this fund visit www.cfgnb.org/donate-now.

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, responsibly manage permanent charitable assets, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For more information, visit www.cfgnb.org.