Summary

A COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Relief Fund for Golden Valley and the West side has been established by the Golden Valley Community Foundation (GVCF). The Relief Fund will support community organizations responding to COVID-19 related needs in Golden Valley and neighboring communities. 

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This COVID-19 Relief Fund has been established to quickly provide charitable resources where they are needed most, with an initial focus on the basic needs of those most significantly impacted by this crisis. Because this is a challenging time for local nonprofits, many of whom do not have the staff to meet growing needs and raise funds, this initial focus for the COVID-19 Relief Fund will empower community members to help fill critical gaps with financial donations to ensure people are getting the services they need. 

 

GVCF HAD ALREADY BEGUN TO RESPOND when schools were closing and meal programs cancelled in early March 2020.  The Foundation reached out to Golden Valley based PRISM to see how it could help them feed students. PRISM hasdan established summer meals program they were implementing immediately to serve during COVID-19. The Foundation repurposed already budgeted Small Sparks Grants funds to PRISM on March 14 to help them meet needs. PRISM is partner of the Foundation and a west side non-profit serving families in need of food, clothing and shelter. They used the grant to purchase and distribute food and other essential items to their constituents in need. Donor Advised Fund holders of the GVCF have also responded with donations from their fund and broader funding grants are being pursued. 

 

The COVID-19 Relief Fund is designed to help simplify a complex situation to answer the question “How Can I Help?” While donors are encouraged to continue their regular support of area nonprofits, the COVID-19 RELIEF Fund will simplify giving and allow funds to be directed where need is the greatest. 

 

HOW TO GIVE Donors have many options for contributing: 

• Give online at https://www.gvcfoundation.org Click on the Donate button, then select GVCF COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Relief Fund 

• Checks can be sent to GVCF PO BOX 27307, Golden Valley, MN 55427-0307 (payable to GVCF/ COVID-19). 

• Donor Advised Fund holders can recommend a grant to The Golden Valley Community Foundation with “COVID-19 Relief Fund" as the grant purpose. 

• GVCF may be also be able to accept appreciated stock and other assets. Call GVCF for assistance with those donations. 

• COMMUNITY FOCUS OF THE RELIEF FUND The COVID-19 Relief Fund is to serve Golden Valley organizations and our neighboring community organizations to the extent possible. 

 

100% DISTRIBUTION

In a consolidated effort to help those most affected by COVID-19, the GVCF is waiving all administrative fees for the Relief Fund. This means (with the exception of fees charged by banks/ credit card companies) 100% of a donor’s gift will be used to help those most affected by COVID-19. 

 

The GVCF COVID-19 Relief Fund is administered in multiple phases to address immediate and longer-term needs related to this crisis. During Phase One, priority was given to partner- ing organizations working to meet the basic needs of those most significantly impacted by this crisis. Phase One includes proactively identifying grant recipients using input, guidance and research from organizations and others in the community in order to make grant decisions. Future grant phases will be communicated as fundraising continues throughout the crisis, making it possible to quickly adapt to evolving needs including ongoing programming in a recovery mode. 

 

The COVID-19 Relief Fund will make grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, or other charitable organizations able to receive tax-deductible contributions, such as schools and other public entities. This Response Fund is not currently able to fund businesses, or nonprofits with 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), or 501(c) (6) status. 

The COVID-19 Relief Fund is not able to provide grants to individuals. Instead, during Phase One of grantmaking, staff worked to move resources as quickly as possible to those community-based organizations directly supporting those most affected by this crisis. For information about community resources for individuals and families impacted by COVID-19, contact the United Way. 

ORGANIZATIONS SEEKING FUNDING at this time grant monies will be provided to GVCF nonprofit partners serving Golden Valley and neighbors. As more funds become available, eligible organizations will be able to submit a brief online application form found on our website at www.gvcfoundation.org 

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THE GRANTMAKING PROCESS

Grants from the Relief Fund will be recommended by an advisory committee appointed by GVCF. These appointees could include Executive staff, board members, and/or other community partners of the GVCF. 

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A listing of grantees will be published on the website of the Golden Valley Community Foundation. 

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In the unlikely case that all funds contributed are not able to be distributed to COVID-19 response efforts, any remaining balance will be transferred to a GVCF Emergency Response Fund to support future grantmaking for emergency needs. 

We’re all in this together. Together we can make a difference. 

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The Golden Valley Community Foundation is a philanthropic organization with the mission of enhancing the quality of life in Golden Valley and our neighbors. GVCF is a member of MN Council on Foundations (MCF) and MN Council of Nonprofits (MCN) and operates as a 501 (c) 3 non profit approved by the State of MN and the US Federal Government. Our EIN is 76-0734171. All accepted donations are tax deductible. For more information contact Dean Penk, Chairperson at dean@gvcfoundation.org or call 612.567.0086