The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region is seeking applications for the Community Relief Fund's Phase II Funding for Community Recovery projects.

The Community Foundation recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic presents significant challenges for area organizations, and that flexibility is essential to meeting community needs at this time. In its second phase of funding, the Community Relief Fund will award grants to help stabilize area organizations that are responding to and recovering from the significant consequences of, and disparities exacerbated by, this health crisis. 

This granting round will provide funding to meet any operational or program needs of nonprofit organization serving Caroline, Fredericksburg, King George, Spotsylvania or Stafford. The goal through this phase is to support community organizations impacted by COVID-19, especially as they support vulnerable communities and communities who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.  

Funding Tracks

Applicants have the opportunity to select one of two funding tracks depending on the organization's needs:

• Track 1: Operational Support for Organizations
  • The initial community needs assessment (March - April 2020) indicates that most organizations:
    • Have had to significantly modify services and operations to meet community needs during the pandemic.
    • Are facing large and unexpected financial challenges due to COVID-19.
  • These grants will provide operational support to help Nonprofits Bridge the crisis, maintain organizational health and continue providing vital community services.
• Track 2: Programs and Services to Meet Critical Needs
  • As the pandemic continues to impact community, nonprofit organizations are affected in a variety of ways. They are meeting increased needs, responding to higher demands in services, and adapting programs to more effectively respond to evolving needs.
  • Organizations may use funding to support programs that provide critical services in community that:
    • provide access to basic needs, particularly food or shelter
    • address challenges with meeting basic living expenses
    • prevent and mitigate the impacts of job or income loss
    • Provide health and/or mental health services for clients and staff

Funding Priorities

• The Phase II Community Recovery funding will prioritize support for groups disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. This includes organizations who serve vulnerable populations, which may include families without childcare, people who have lost income due to the pandemic, people who are experiencing homelessness or rapid rehousing, individuals without paid sick leave or health insurance, people experiencing domestic violence or child abuse, English language learners, senior citizens, etc.
• The Community Relief Fund encourages projects that:
  • Help make charitable organizations more effective, efficient and essential.
  • Promote collaboration and avoid duplication.
  • Focus on the most vulnerable.
  • Center on equity and inclusion.
  • Inspire and encourage additional funding.
  • Request seed money to leverage exciting and innovative ways to meet unmet needs.
  • Reach a broad segment of the community.
  • Address gaps in services or provide services for needs as they arise.

Funding Information

Community Recovery grants will be one-time awards of up to $10,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Community Foundation welcomes grant applications from nonprofit service providers or other charitable organizations serving the Rappahannock River region. Organizations may only submit one application. Applications will be accepted from all eligible organizations, including grantees who previously received immediate relief funding from the Community Relief Fund.
• To be eligible for funding, applicants must:
  • Be a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  • Be based in or serve those in the City of Fredericksburg and/or the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford.
  • Demonstrate organizational impact from the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In order to quickly deliver grants where they are most needed, the foundation has pre-screened area nonprofits that have received a grant from The Community Foundation in the last 5 years. New organizations will be swiftly vetted by foundation staff and board members.

Exclusions

The Community Foundation will not award grant support to organizations that, in their constitution, bylaws or practices, discriminate against a person or group because of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Grantees, however, may target services to a particular population when the targeted groups require specialized programs to meet specific needs not shared by the general population. The Community Foundation will not consider proposals to fund:

• Grants directly to individuals
• Political campaigns or lobbying activities
• Endowments
• Projects that exclusively serve religious or sectarian purposes. Religious organizations providing non-religious community services will be considered.
• Annual fundraising campaigns or events
• Debt payment or legal settlements
• Reimbursement for completed projects, programs and equipment

For more information, visit The Community Foundation.