COVID-19 Response

We understand and share the concerns of our communities, our donors, volunteers, staff and their families as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold. And though the challenges ahead are unknown, we remain optimistic that our communities will pull through and emerge stronger than before.

We greatly appreciate your patience with us as we adjust to the new normal for the next several months. Throughout it all, our commitment remains to serve our communities, our donors, fund holders, and volunteers. This is why our founders created community foundations and we will be here today, tomorrow and beyond to do just that.

We do not yet know all the needs our communities will face, but we want you to know a couple of very important steps we are taking at CommunityGiving and our partner foundations given the present situation.

Response Funds

Response Funds have been activated in all communities served by CommunityGiving. These funds will be available for local donors and others to contribute and support relief efforts to support those impacted by COVID-19. Grants from these funds will be made to nonprofit and/or governmental entities that are responding to the needs of the local community. The following communities currently have response funds established to assist with the most pressing needs of their local communities. To make a contribution to one of the funds, you can click on the name of the fund below.

Alexandria Response Fund

Brainerd Lakes Area Response Fund

Carver County Response Fund

Central Minnesota Response Fund

Foley Area Response Fund

Paynesville Area Response Fund

ROCORI Area Response Fund

Sauk Centre Area Response Fund

Willmar Area Response Fund

There is also a statewide effort being coordinated by the Minnesota Council on Foundation and St. Paul and Minnesota Community Foundation. For more information on the Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund, click here.

response fund grant opportunities

There are grant opportunities available to nonprofit organizations, schools and governmental entities that have been impacted by COVID-19. To learn more and apply, click the links below. *Please note the differing geographic area each grant round supports before applying.

Alexandria Response Fund Grants
Brainered Lakes Area Response Fund Grants
Carver County Response Fund Grants
Central Minnesota Response Fund Grants
Paynesville Area Response Fund Grants
ROCORI Area Response Fund Grants
Sauk Centre Area Response Fund Grants
Willmar Area Response Fund Grants.

General Operations

• While the CommunityGiving and partner foundation offices are closed, our staff members continue to work remotely and are available to answer your questions and concerns via phone or email. You can visit our staff page for contact information.
• In-person meetings with staff will take place as phone/video calls.

CommunityConnections Webinar Series

The CommunityConnections Webinar Series is an opportunity for CommunityGiving and its partner foundations to remain in contact with our communities during these times of crisis. We hope to provide resources and topics that you find helpful and informative as we all work towards a better path for the future.

To access previous CC webinars, click here.

Listening to Our Communities : Building Bridges - How to Engage in Community Conversations - August 4 at 2pm via Zoom - To register, click here.

Upcoming Events

• All CommunityGiving and partner foundation community events scheduled through August will be postponed and/or rescheduled. Those events include:
  • ROCORI Area Community Foundation Trivia Night - March 26 - Postponed
  • CMCF & United Way "Get on the Bus" Tour - March 31 - Postponed
  • Brainerd Lakes Area "Women Making Waves" Event - April 14 - Postponed
  • Alexandria Area Community Foundation Annual Dinner - May 4 - Postponed
  • CMCF Women's Fund Presents: Dancing with our Stars LIVE! - June 15 - Postponed
  
  Check back for updates on the rescheduling of these events. We will also be reviewing events scheduled for September in the coming months to ensure everyone's health and safety.

Additional Resources

For accurate and clear information about the current situation we recommend the following resources:

• Center for Disease Control Coronavirus Information
• World Health Organization - Novel Coronavirus Information
• Minnesota Department of Health Coronavirus Information
• Independent Sector - independentsector.org - How to apply for nonprofit relief funds and trends & information impacting the charitable community
• Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - mncn.org - Minnesota Grants Directory (special edition) and links to nonprofit call/presentations with the Governors Office
• Minnesota DEED - mn.gov/deed/ - COVID-19 unemployment insurance information and resources
• Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation COVID-19 Response - Resources for small businesses
• Network for Good - www.networkforgood.com - Financial resilience training with a four-part series that began April 13th.
• Propel Nonprofits - www.propelnonprofits.org -Technical assistance related to the four stages of financial management to address cash flow, applications to relief programs, scenario planning/long-term viability, and restoring capital and reserves. These sessions are temporarily at no cost to nonprofits.