Regional Nonprofits Receiving $7.2 million from COVID-19 Regional Response Fund exceeded its $5 million goal within 7 weeks

May 9, 2020

Media Contacts:
Adam Behm
Greater Cincinnati Foundation
513-768-6129

Jennifer Riegert
United Way of Greater Cincinnati
513.309.2920

Cincinnati (May 9, 2020) The COVID-19 Regional Response Fund, activated by Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) and United Way of Greater Cincinnati, raised $7.2 million in emergency relief for over 200 nonprofit organizations that serve the region’s most vulnerable individuals and families. The Fund exceeded its $5 million goal within seven weeks.

Addressing Emergency Needs
“We hear a new story every day – true, human stories about how this relief effort has made a real difference in our community,” said Moira Weir, United Way President and CEO. “We are all rallying together, lifting each other up, to a better place. I am so proud to live in this giving community and thankful to those who sacrifice for others.”

The Fund jumpstarted philanthropy across the region by focusing on immediate needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, including food, shelter, child care and senior services. Hundreds of thousands have benefitted, including emergency child care for first responders, shelter for domestic violence victims, meals for seniors and more. Additionally, the Fund granted many hospitals in the region $30,000 to show support and gratitude of their heroic efforts. Read their stories at covid19regionalfund.org/impact.

View the full list of recipients.

“Now more than ever, we are inspired by how quickly and generously our community stepped forward to respond to our time of greatest need,” said Ellen M. Katz, Greater Cincinnati Foundation President and CEO. “Together we have made a powerful impact on the well-being of our most vulnerable neighbors, and we will continue to focus on building an equitable community where everyone can thrive.”

Generous Donors Drove Community Response
The Regional Response Fund’s tremendous success and great impact was launched with initial contributions from key funders such as bi3; Charles H. Dater Foundation; Deaconess Associations Foundation; Fifth Third Foundation; First Financial Bank; Hearst Foundations; Humana Foundation; The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation; Procter & Gamble; Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee; Skyline Chili; Scripps Howard Foundation; and Western & Southern Financial Group; and the entire community of foundations, companies and individuals. An anonymous donor and Impact 100 Cincinnati later matched donor contributions to inspire the community to give. In addition to our funding partners, over 1,000 individuals in our community donated as a result of this effort.

In addition, the Fund received community support from the following: Awadalla Charitable Fund; CET; Cincinnati Art Museum; Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; The Cincinnati Enquirer; Cincinnati Magazine; Michael Cioffi and Rachael Rowe Family Foundation; Bob and Jeanne Coughlin Fund; Deloitte; Devou Good Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Driehaus; Duke Energy Foundation; Catherine and Thomas Dunlay Family Fund; James E. Evans Fund; George Fabe Fund; Farmer Family Foundation; The Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati; George J. and Sudie M. Flick Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation; David A. and Maryanne F. Foster Fund; Gensler Butler Charitable Fund; Paul R. and Virginia Pearce Glick Fund; Grote, Hobson and Zerbe Families; Huntington Bank; Mr. and Mrs. Jason Jackman; The Andrew Jergens Foundation; Beth Jones; Key Bank; KFM Fund; Louise J. Lang Fund for Indigent Needs of the Hamilton Community Foundation; The Manuel D. & Rhoda Mayerson Foundation; L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation; Ohio National Financial Services; Oliver Family Foundation; Pepper Family Fund; The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation; Pleatman Fund; PNC Bank Foundation; Rosenthal Family Foundation; Kent and Martha Savage Family Charitable Fund; Julie Shifman Fund; The Standard Charitable Foundation; Stern Family Charitable Fund; TQL Foundation; Truist Foundation; United Way of Butler County; Williams, Clauder and Frisbie Families; WCPO Media; Zalla Media

How to Rebuild our Community Together
COVID-19 recovery and revitalization will be a long-term effort and both Greater Cincinnati Foundation and United Way of Greater Cincinnati are implementing strategies to support our region.

United Way announced a long-term response, recovery and revitalization effort aimed at supporting not only United Way social service agencies, but diverse non-traditional, faith-based and community based agencies assisting Greater Cincinnati families with recovery and revitalization efforts. To donate to United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s COVID-19 response, visit uwgc.org.

Greater Cincinnati Foundation continues to be all-in, more now than ever, to ensure an equitable evolution from the pandemic, specifically for our black community that has been hit especially hard. Grantmaking initiatives will provide nonprofit support as it relates to COVID-19 and work to redesign systems to shape a new reality where we all can thrive. To learn about ways to partner or contribute, visit www.gcfdn.org.

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About Greater Cincinnati Foundation
As the region’s leading community foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation connects people with purpose in an eight county region in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. GCF is leading the charge toward a more vibrant Greater Cincinnati for everyone — now, and for generations to come. #StrongerTogether

About United Way of Greater Cincinnati
For more than 100 years, United Way of Greater Cincinnati has developed, supported and strengthened social systems that improve lives in Greater Cincinnati communities. UWGC provides relief for families in crisis, supports families as they establish stronger foundations, and revitalizes systems of support for long-term economic resiliency. United Way is uniquely positioned to bring together and harness the collective power of social service agencies, governments, businesses, donors and more to tackle ingrained, persistent, community-wide problems in a coordinated, comprehensive way that maximizes donor dollars. The generosity of our community, combined with our more than 100 years of experience bringing people together, enables us to support families in a 10-county area across Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Additional information about our community impact is available at UWGC.org #LiveUnited