A Nonprofit Collaborative Response to the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic
THE CHALLENGE (Our “Why”)
The coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented challenge. In Delaware, every sector of society is doing its part to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, which causes the illness known as COVID-19. These necessary actions are driving massive changes in daily life, which are especially hard on children in low-income households, the working poor and seniors, most of whom lack essential resources on a good day.
At the same time, as Delaware nonprofits race to address the immediate local consequences of the pandemic, they are tapping funds earmarked for other needs, compromising the network’s capacity to address the long-term consequences of the pandemic.
The goal of this partnership is to align Delaware’s nonprofit community in a coordinated effort to alleviate the impact of the crisis in Delaware. We seek to do this by supplementing and supporting efforts of government, school systems and social service agencies, by generating funds and other supports, and by recruiting volunteers to address both the immediate and long-term consequences of the COVID-19 crisis.
THE RESPONSE (Our “How”)
A group of Delaware’s philanthropic and nonprofit leaders have launched a coordinated response, comprising four elements:
Delaware Does More: COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund
United Way of Delaware (UWDE) has launched the Delaware Does More: COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, an initiative to raise and manage funds that will address immediate needs resulting from the crisis. The fund will focus on alleviating the near-term impact of COVID-19 by working to supplement and support efforts related to children in low-income households, the working poor and seniors. UWDE will work with Philanthropy Delaware (PD) and will house and manage this fund.
Volunteer Coordination
Through the Delaware Does More: COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, UWDE will coordinate COVID-19-related volunteer activities throughout the state, using its 211 platform.
Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund
The COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund will target evolving needs of the state’s most-impacted communities, for the longer term needs of our community. The Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) will house and manage this fund. The DCF and PD will work with philanthropists to assemble funds for a collective response. This response will be coordinated with the activities of Delaware Does More.
Assessing & Strengthening Nonprofits to Respond
The Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA) is assessing what nonprofit organizations require to be able to respond successfully to community needs as the long-term impact of the pandemic evolves. Armed with the information from DANA’s assessment, the DCF, PD and UWDE will work together to allocate the charitable dollars to have the greatest impact throughout the state.
Throughout this difficult time, United Way of Delaware, the Delaware Community Foundation, Philanthropy Delaware and the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement will coordinate with each other, and with other nonprofits, businesses, government agencies and individuals to ensure a comprehensive response throughout the state.
THE STRATEGIC RESPONSE FUND GRANTS TEAM (Our “Who”)
Strategic Response Fund Grantees are selected through a rigorous process that involves a diverse team of more than 50 community leaders representing all three counties and a range of areas of expertise. Final decisions are made by the COVID-19 Grants Council:
Stuart Comstock-Gay, president and CEO, DCF
Sheila Bravo, president, Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA), ex officio
Vernita Dorsey, WSFS
There du Pont, president, Longwood Foundation
Alan Levin, SoDel Concepts
Leslie Newman, retired CEO, Children & Families First
Enid Wallace-Simms, Delmarva Power
Amy Walls, Discover Bank
Applicants must not contact Council members or reviewers about their applications unless directly asked for additional information. This is critical because of the large quantity of applications expected and the focus required to make decisions quickly. Please direct questions to Allison Taylor Levine.