23 Mar THE MIAMI FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW COMMUNITY RECOVERY FUND, SUPPORTING LOCAL NONPROFITS HIT HARD BY COVID-19 RESPONSE

MIAMI – March 23, 2020 – In the wake of massive efforts to lessen the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus, local nonprofit organizations have had to cancel revenue-generating events, absorb unexpected costs and shut their doors to clients, eliminating much-needed fees for their services. The Miami Foundation has responded by establishing The Community Recovery Fund, providing critical help to Miami-Dade nonprofits whose operations are severely impacted, and supporting their long-term recovery, resilience and financial stability. The Miami Foundation has seeded the Fund with a $300,000 contribution.

The Foundation is actively seeking donors to build the Fund, so it can respond quickly as the coronavirus situation develops. Donations can be made online at MiamiFoundation.org/COVID19Response.

“Through our grant programs and Give Miami Day, The Miami Foundation works with close to 1,000 organizations serving countless residents in a given year. We have a complete view of the sector, allowing us to quickly move dollars to stabilize nonprofit partners working on the ground so they can focus on helping residents get through this uncertain and unprecedented time,” said Joseph A. Fernandez, interim president and CEO of The Miami Foundation.

Funds will be granted on a rolling basis as fundraising continues, making it possible to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs. Qualifying, Miami-Dade-based nonprofits that may be in need of financial support should email Lindsey Linzer at llinzer@miamifoundation.org. In the interest of expediency, there is no formal application process at this time for the Fund. If your organization has a need resulting from COVID-19, please complete the interest form.

To support immediate relief for residents, the Foundation partnered with United Way of Miami-Dade, Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald, Health Foundation of South Florida and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau to launch the Miami Pandemic Response Fund with a $100,000 donation from the Community Recovery Fund. The United Way’s fund provides immediate aid to families and small businesses through a network of nonprofit partners, including food supplies, utilities, rent/mortgage assistance, and micro-grants to small businesses.

The complementary Funds (one focused on immediate relief for residents and the other focused on long-term recovery of the Miami-Dade’s critical nonprofit sector) were created to get targeted resources into community organizations where and how it is needed most.

“Our county has a long history of uniting in times of crisis,” continued Fernandez. “This unprecedented pandemic will define Greater Miami’s strength and ability to tap even deeper into our shared spirit of caring, community and resilience.”

Photo credit: Robert G. Holmes