$158,000 Available For Local Nonprofits From Covid-19 Community Response Fund

In March of 2020, the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin and United Way of Marathon County teamed up to create the COVID-19 Community Response Fund. This fund continues to bring essential resources and aid to our local nonprofits. The fund provides flexible funding for organizations working throughout Marathon County who are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus and the economic consequences of the outbreak. Working in partnership, this Fund is designed to expand local capacity to address the effects on individuals and families as a result of the outbreak as efficiently as possible.

We know there are serious short- and long-term impacts during this pandemic. We acknowledge that the resources of local nonprofit organizations may be stressed – as they provide support for those with immediate needs in this time.

Applications continue to be accepted on our online application portal. To date, we have awarded 36 organizations with grants totaling over $300,000.

The review committee is focusing on immediate needs – food and shelter security, child care, safety in the home, access to health care, etc. – for the most vulnerable populations (which seems to be children and seniors) at this time. However, the nonprofit sector has a pulse on how the pandemic is affecting the populations they serve – and proposals are accepted to address those needs. There is a $10,000 limit per request. However, the door is open for grant recipients to apply for additional funds if needed.

We have purposely kept the application as simple as possible as not to overburden our nonprofit friends in this stressful time. The review committee, which is made up of representation of the Community Foundation and the United Way meets weekly to allow the grants to be processed in a timely manner and get funding out as quickly as possible. Applications received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon will be reviewed that week.

Fast Facts:

• $454,237 donated to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund
• $304,050 granted to date – 36 organizations
• Application deadline Tuesday afternoon at 5 p.m. – applications processed weekly
• Apply through the Community Foundation’s online grant management system: https://www.grantinterface.com/cfoncw/Common/LogOn.aspx
• Eligible applicants – nonprofit organization serving Marathon County – serving the immediate needs of the community due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Application request limit – $10,000 (agencies allowed to reapply if funding is still needed)

Contact: Sue Nelson, Program Officer, Community Foundation, sue@cfoncw.org / 715-845-9555
Tara Glodowski, Community Impact Director, United Way, tglodowski@unitedwaymc.org / 715-298-5707

Join United Way of Marathon County and the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin as we rally the entire community to participate in #GivingTuesdayNow on Tuesday, May 5.

When you give to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, 100% of your donation will go to support people who have been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. These are neighbors who have lost their wages and tips. Families struggling to pay their bills. Children who are missing school lunches. Individuals experiencing homelessness who have been shut out of other services. From experience, we know when this community comes together, it can overcome challenges of great magnitude. That’s the power of this community.

On May 5, join us as we say thank you to the essential workers who have tirelessly and bravely continued to do their jobs. Our effort will be one part of a bigger day of giving and unity called #GivingTuesdayNow. Essential workers who are keeping grocery, convenience and pharmacy stores open see large groups of people every day. When you must shop at one of these stores, be respectful of the people working there. Tell them thank you, wear a protective mask, keep your distance from employees and be kind to team members and other customers. We want to show the world that Marathon County is United for frontline workers!

Marathon County has been awarded federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

Two separate allocations are available; one of $43,404 (Phase 37) and another of $61,882 (CARES) to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

Non-profit, faith-based organizations and local government agencies providing food, shelter and supportive services in Marathon County are eligible to apply for funding (there are two separate applications; applicants can apply for each).

The application deadline for both funds is 5:00 pm, Wednesday, May 20, 2020.

To qualify, the organization must:

1. be private voluntary non-profits, faith-based organizations or units of government
2. be eligible to receive Federal funds (have a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) and a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
3. have an accounting system
4. practice nondiscrimination
5. have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food, shelter and/or supportive services and
6. if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.

These funds must be used for mass shelter, hotel/motel, cleaning supplies for shelter, feeding sites, small equipment purchases up to $300 per item (e.g., microwave) mass feeding, food purchases, congregate meals, food distribution through food pantries and food banks, home delivery meals (e.g., Meals on Wheels), one-month utility programs to prevent service cut-off, and one-month rent/mortgage assistance to prevent evictions or assist people leaving shelters to establish stable living conditions.

A local board comprised of representatives from county government, local human services agencies, and minority and veteran’s groups will review the applications and distribute funds awarded to Marathon County. The local board has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously to the Community Center of Hope, The Neighbor’s Place, The Women’s Community, The Hmong American Center and the Salvation Army. Past EFSP participation is not a requirement.

Those wishing for more information about the funds may contact United Way of Marathon County’s Director of Community Impact – Education, Tara Glodowski, at tglodowski@unitedwaymc.org or 715-298-5707.

United Way of Marathon County participates in Denim Day on April 29, 2020 from a safe social distance as millions of people across the world will wear jeans with a purpose. United Way support survivors and education about all forms of sexual violence.

Why Denim Day? A symbolic gesture – an Italian court overturned a rape conviction due to the High Court not believing that the victim had not consented to sexual contact since, in their opinion, her jeans were so tight the perpetrator could not have gotten them off without her assistance. Sounds outrageous, yet in Italy, and all over the world, women and men who are victims of sexual assault continue to be disbelieved and accused of causing the assault due to their behavior…or fashion sense. This has to stop.

United Way of Marathon County’s mission is to unite people and organizations in Marathon County to build a stronger community and strategically invest in education, financial stability and health priorities to improve lives now and into the future. It began in 1930 and has been a staple of the community expanding to include four coalitions and more than 24 funded partners that are invested in the education, financial stability and health of our community.

United Way of Marathon County has many volunteer opportunities in which people can get involved. At this time, United Way has small, safe and solo projects to encourage social distancing and has been creative with connecting people to needs such as the virtual Thank a Healthcare Worker, Plant a Seed Project and Reading Online. When it is safe again, we will be ready for community projects and group activities.

Last year more than 4900 people volunteered with United Way of Marathon County and contributed more than 14,500 hours of time for this community. Volunteers are involved in boards, campaign cabinets, affinity groups, coalitions and taskforces and more.

• Volunteers through Make a Difference Day raked leaves for elderly and disabled residents.
• Bundles of Joy distributes diapers and wipes to 10 area agencies throughout the year.
• Retired and Senior Volunteer Program offers educational programs, free blood pressure screenings and volunteer opportunities throughout the community.
• CommUnity Fest volunteers donated over 10,000 pounds of food for local food pantries.
• Special projects such as Adopt a Classroom and the Community Wide Baby Shower allow company volunteers to give back to the community.

Volunteering can create lasting change in our community. If you are interested in volunteering at United Way of Marathon County, you can learn more about these opportunities by contacting Krista Mischo at kmischo@unitedwaymc.org or calling 715-848-2927.

United Way of Marathon County’s mission is to unite people and organizations in Marathon County to build a stronger community and strategically invest in education, financial stability and health priorities to improve lives now and into the future. It began in 1930 and has been a staple of the community expanding to include four coalitions and more than 24 funded partners that are invested in the education, financial stability and health of our community.