COVID-19 Regional Recovery Fund Butler and Warren Counties Joint Effort
Press Release
Butler and Warren Counties, OH (April 6, 2020) –
Butler County United Way and the Hamilton Community Foundation are partnering with United Way of Warren County and the Warren County Foundation to join forces with Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) and United Way of Greater Cincinnati (UWGC). This partnership will create a dedicated source of funding for Butler and Warren Counties to address critical needs in this region related to the coronavirus pandemic, especially for those who will be disproportionately affected, through the COVID19 Regional Response Fund.
“With the uncertainty that this pandemic has brought, it was important for us to join together and be prepared to address the unanticipated demand for nonprofit services,” stated Mag Baker, President and CEO of Butler County United Way. “Connecting and mobilizing resources is what we do on a daily basis, but to see this collaborative spirit come alive across our region is inspiring and we will all be better for it in the future.”
The COVID19 Regional Response Fund was activated with cross-sector partners to swiftly raise and deploy flexible resources to local organizations supporting those affected by the coronavirus outbreak in our region. The Fund will provide dedicated resources allowing the ability to pro-actively monitor and react to Butler County and Warren County needs.
Aaron Reid, President and CEO of United Way of Warren County added, “Even though each of our organizations operate as an independent 501c3 entity, it is circumstances like this that make us realize that we can be much stronger working together than separately. This virus has created a common ground where the pooling of resources to address the emerging needs will have the greatest impact.”
The fund will match $150,000 for Butler County and an additional $100,000 to Warren County. “The partnerships between GCF and our regional United Ways and Community Foundations is powerful. Our collective resources and reach will ensure the most ample, effective, and efficient philanthropic response. I am so inspired by our generous donors and their unwavering commitment to our community,” said Ellen Katz, President/CEO of Greater Cincinnati Foundation. “We invite you to join us. Your support is critical for our neighbors in need. No gift is too small. Now is the time.”
The fund was activated by GCF and UWGC, in partnership with generous contributions from bi3, Deaconess Associations Foundation, Fifth Third Foundation, First Financial Bank, The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, Procter & Gamble, Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee, Scripps Howard Foundation and Western & Southern Financial Group.
Initial funding specifically for Butler and Warren Counties was provided by Butler County United Way, Conger Construction, First Financial Bank, Hamilton Community Foundation, Meijer, Miami Valley Gaming, Kent and Martha Savage Family Charitable Fund, Truist Foundation (formerly Suntrust and BB&T), Warren County Foundation, United Way of Warren County and many individual donors.
John Guidugli, President and CEO of the Hamilton Community Foundation, states, “The Fund will address regional needs related to the coronavirus, especially for those who are disproportionately affected. It is specifically designed for those who may fall just outside of the normal funding guidelines for assistance. It targets that segment of our population that often ends up in immediate financial crisis with any slight disruption of their financial situation. We need to make sure they are not missed in this process.”
Targeted services such as food insecurity, medical needs, housing and shelter, and childcare and senior services will be the initial focus. It is believed that support of these services will have the most impact on speeding up the human and economic recovery from COVID-19.
Each county will accept funding applications and make decisions locally, based on the needs of their communities. Initially, those decisions will be made by representatives of the local United Way and Community Foundation. “It is our intention to turn these applications around as quickly as possible so that these funds can get into the hands of those most affected,” Tom Seddon, Chief Executive Officer of Warren County Foundation stated. “However, we must also be good stewards of the funding made available to us. Having created this regional fund will help in deterring any duplication of funding across our region.
Flexibility and agility are critical at this stage of COVID-19 nonprofit response. A short fillable-form application has been developed for quick processing. Applications will be reviewed as received with an answer rendered within three business days.
Major contributions of $10,000 or more should be made to Greater Cincinnati Foundation (www.gcfdn.org/COVID-19). Smaller donations may be directed to the sites below where additional information on the Fund and the Application for Funding may also be found.
Butler County:
www.bc-unitedway.org
https://bc-unitedway.org/covid-19
https://www.hamiltonfoundation.org
Warren County:
www.warrencountyfoundation.org
https://www.warrencountyfoundation.org/emergency-relief-fund.html
