Nonprofit organizations are often at the forefront of local COVID-19 relief efforts, and many are experiencing critical financial challenges and new operational hurdles as a result of the pandemic. While media outlets have focused significant attention on the various federal response programs, many less-publicized financial resources are available to charitable organizations at the state and local levels. The list below categorizes the available nonprofit relief programs alphabetically by state[1] and provides a brief description of eligibility requirements. Click on the name of an initiative for more details on eligibility, deadlines, and available funding.
Regardless of whether there is an explicit deadline, interested organizations should apply as soon as possible given the high demand for additional funding.
Multi-State Resources
- The Giving Compass and the National Center for Family Philanthropy have compiled a map showing vetted funds by region (view map).
- The Novartis – COVID-19 Community Response Fund will provide grants of $100,000 to $250,000 on a rolling basis for nonprofits working to (i) strengthen healthcare infrastructure to meet increased demand and protect frontline workers, (ii) establish digital platforms for COVID-19-related data collection, remote delivery of healthcare and effective dissemination of important public health information, or (iii) create or enhance community health programs specific to the pandemic. Priority will be given to organizations in states where Novartis has a physical presence, including California, Massachusetts and New York. R&D programs are not eligible.
California
| Organization/Fund | Application Deadline | Grant Amount | Eligibility |
| 1. Community Foundation for Monterey County – COVID-19 Relief Fund | Rolling | $5,000 to $30,000 | Monterey County nonprofits serving the basic needs of vulnerable populations due to layoffs or unemployment. |
| 2. Community Foundation for San Benito County – COVID-19 Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Organizations (i) serving the basic needs of vulnerable populations due to layoffs and unemployment, or (ii) experiencing staffing and volunteer gaps due to social distancing guidelines. |
| 3. The East Bay Community Foundation – COVID-19: A Just East Bay Response Fund | Rolling | Unspecified |
Organizations that focus on "priority populations" (undocumented migrants, cash economy workers, underinsured, youth, domestic violence victims, low-income seniors, and the formerly incarcerated) and whose work aligns with one or more of: 1. Direct financial assistance to individuals or families 2. Providing essential services to priority populations 3. Existing grantees requiring operations support 4. Organizing and systems change. |
| 4. Inland Empire Community Foundation – COVID-19 Resiliency Fund | Open May 25 to Nov. 30 | $5,000 to $20,000 (see Eligibility section) | Grants up to $20,000 available to organizations providing emergency services and basic needs for low-income residents. |
| 5. Kern Community Foundation – Kern County COVID-19 Relief Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Kern County nonprofits serving vulnerable populations or those that can present a clear case of direct operational or financial impact due to the economic or medical effects of the pandemic. |
| 6. Los Altos Community Foundation – 2020 Nonprofit Relief Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Established organizations in community that will use a grant to help meet critical needs, especially organizations that have an established grantee relationship with LACF. |
| 7. The San Diego Foundation – COVID-19 Community Response Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Nonprofits assisting with food security, essential living expenses, and other emerging immediate needs. Interest-free loans may also be available through the San Diego County COVID-19 Small Business and Nonprofit Loan Program. |
| 8. San Francisco Foundation – COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund | Rolling | $5,000 to $25,000 | Nonprofits addressing one or more of the following issues: (i) racial bias, (ii) worker protection, (iii) housing security, and (iv) food security. Priority will be given to grassroots organizations in the five-county bay area with smaller operating budgets. |
| 9. Santa Barbara Foundation – Joint Response Effort for Santa Barbara County | Rolling | Up to $25,000 | Organizations that are (in order of priority) (i) actively engaging in COVID-19 assistance efforts, (ii) adapting to continue to provide essential services, or (iii) providing reduced services due to the pandemic and have operational support needs. |
| 10. Shasta Regional Community Foundation – COVID-19 Relief Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Open to regional nonprofits providing COVID-19 relief services |
| 11. Silicon Valley Community Foundation – Regional Nonprofit Emergency Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Nonprofits serving San Mateo or Santa Clara Counties that have been impacted by COVID-19 |
| 12. Solano Community Foundation – Solano Community Impact Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Community nonprofits who need assistance meeting operational expenses |
| 13. Yolo Community Foundation – COVID-19 Relief Fund | Rolling | $2,500 to $30,000 (see Eligibility section) |
$10,000 to $30,000 "Front-Line Response" grants available to organizations addressing critical community needs caused by COVID-19. $2,500 to $10,000 "Nonprofit Sustainability" grants available to organizations at risk of closing or offering reduced services. |
Massachusetts
| Organization/Fund | Application Deadline | Grant Amount | Eligibility |
| 1.Berkshire United Way – COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund for Berkshire County | Rolling | Up to $25,000 | Frontline human services nonprofits working with communities in the region that have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and the associated economic consequences. Administrative costs are not eligible. |
| 2. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation – Catalyst Fund | Rolling | Up to $5,000 | Massachusetts-based organizations with a demonstrated program focus of serving the healthcare needs of vulnerable communities. Strong preferences for grassroots organizations responding to COVID-19. |
| 3. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation – Special Initiative Grants | Aug. 21 | Up to $25,000 | Organizations that (i) work towards expanding access to healthcare coverage for vulnerable populations in Massachusetts, or (ii) help people address health-related social needs caused by COVID-19 such as housing or food security. Must have a track record of robust programming for vulnerable populations in Massachusetts. Will prioritize community-based organizations serving areas identified as having low insurance rates in The Geography of Uninsurance in Massachusetts. |
| 4. City of Boston Treasury Department - Boston Resiliency Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Nonprofits that address a focus population of the resiliency fund, with an equity lens, that have demonstrated ability to quickly and efficiently serve Boston's most vulnerable residents. Program must focus on (i) ensuring access to food for Boston's children, family, and seniors, or (ii) supporting first responders, frontline workers, and healthcare workers. Must have a plan to deliver services safely (following social distancing guidelines) over the next six to eight weeks. |
| 5. Community Foundation for Nantucket – The Nantucket Fund for Emergency Relief | Rolling | Unspecified | Nonprofits helping to meet human services needs on the island with demonstrated financial losses due to the pandemic. |
| 6. Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts – COVID-19 Response Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Nonprofits providing essential services in the region will receive priority. |
| 7. Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts – SouthCoast Emergency Response Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Nonprofits supporting the region's vulnerable residents and families during the pandemic. |
| 8. Essex County Community Foundation – COVID-19 Response Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Organizations working with communities that are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and its economic consequences. |
| 9. Eversource – Grants for Nonprofits | Rolling | Unspecified | Nonprofits within the Massachusetts Eversource service territory. Ineligible uses and recipients include: (i) personal expenses related to events, conferences, or travel, (ii) projects benefiting limited groups (religious, fraternal, or political), (iii) private foundations or endowments, (iv) reducing a pre-existing debt, (v) golf outings, and (vi) advertising. |
| 10. Foundation for MetroWest – Emergency Relief Fund | Rolling | Up to $5,000 | Organizations that provide emergency needs such as access to food, hygiene products, emergency shelter and clothing, and emergency childcare in the MetroWest region. |
| 11. Foundation for MetroWest – Feed Framingham COVID-19 Fund | Rolling | Up to $5,000 | Organizations that provide authentic food access or basic hygiene products to vulnerable Framingham residents. |
| 12. Greater Lowell Community Foundation – COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Frontline nonprofits serving vulnerable populations in the community that have pressing needs due to the pandemic. |
| 13. Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard – Emergency Response Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Priority for organizations working on the frontline and assisting vulnerable individuals in the community. |
| 14. Theatre Community Benevolent Fund – COVID-19 Response | Rolling | $1,000 to $6,000 | Open to theater companies in the greater Boston area. |
New York
| Organization/Fund | Application Deadline | Grant Amount | Eligibility |
| 1. Adirondack Foundation – Special and Urgent Needs Fund | Rolling | $1,000 to $10,000 | Charitable organizations in the Adirondack region providing access to food, childcare, low-wage worker support, elderly care and other essential services that have been impacted by the pandemic. Nonprofits, municipalities and schools are all eligible. |
| 2. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation – Columbia County COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund | Rolling | Up to $15,000 | Columbia County nonprofits responding to emergency needs of families and individuals pertaining to COVID-19, and which are adhering to social distancing guidelines. |
| 3. Brooklyn Community Foundation – Brooklyn COVID-19 Response Fund | June 30 | Up to $10,000 | Priority for community-based organizations serving vulnerable populations in the boroughs who are facing disproportionate health and social impacts as a result of the pandemic. |
| 4. Central New York Community Foundation – COVID-19 Community Support Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Central New York organizations that address a basic need, serve vulnerable populations, and commit to documenting the impact of services provided. |
| 5. Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan – COVID-19 Response Fund | Rolling | Up to $5,000 | Established nonprofit organizations providing frontline services to vulnerable populations in the region. |
| 6. Community Foundation of Tompkins County – COVID-19 Response Fund | Rolling | Up to $10,000 | Organizations helping Tompkins County residents meet basic needs. |
| 7. Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley – Dutchess Responds Fund | Rolling | Up to $10,000 | Nonprofits providing services to Dutchess County residents. First priority given to organizations with increased demand for services due to COVID-19, with deep roots in the community and an established track record. Second priority given to organizations that have modified delivery of their services due to the pandemic, and require assistance to update their technology or sanitation protocols. |
| 8. The Cortland Community Foundation – Cortland Cares COVID Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Nonprofits delivering food and services to vulnerable populations in the region. |
| 9. Long Island Community Foundation - COVID-19 Long Island Philanthropic Response Fund | Rolling | $1,000 to $25,000 | Long Island nonprofits meeting emergent and critical needs affecting the region. Priority given to organizations addressing essential health and human services. |
| 10. The New York Community Trust – NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund | Closed | Unspecified | Grant applications no longer accepted as of May 7, 2020 (check back at a later date). Loans are available through the Nonprofit Finance Fund (see item 12, below). |
| 11. The New York Women’s Foundation – COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund | July 1 (rolling) | Six-month grants up to $25,000 | Current and former grantee partners may apply, with grants to be used for (i) organizational adaptivity, (ii) programmatic adaptivity, (iii) healing, or (iv) culture and systems change (see website for details). Organizations with budgets of less than $2 million will be prioritized. |
| 12. Robin Hood Foundation – COVID-19 Relief Fund | Rolling | Unspecified (initial grants to average $45,000) | Frontline nonprofits responding to COVID-19 in New York City. |
| 13. United Way of Greater Rochester – Community Crisis Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Organizations in the greater Rochester area that are serving immediate needs. Priority is given to organizations serving vulnerable populations with needs not addressed by federal, state or local resources. |
| 14. United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area – Mohawk Valley COVID-19 Response Fund | Rolling | Unspecified | Organizations meeting human services needs in Oneida and Herkimer Counties. |
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[1] California, Massachusetts and New York. Additional states may be added to this list in the future.
Contacts
- /en/people/a/abbott-susan
Susan L. Abbott
PartnerChair, Tax Exempt Organizations, Co-Chair, Trusts & Estate Planning - /en/people/w/whalen-robert
Robert P. Whalen Jr.
Partner - /en/people/m/maimone-medwick-jennifer
Jennifer Maimone-Medwick
Counsel