COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund

United Way of Monroe County and nearly 30 local organizations partnered to launch the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to support immediate economic stability and basic needs in Monroe, Owen, and Greene counties in light of the pandemic.

The Fund launched with $250,000 committed by individual donors and key partners including Bloomington Health Foundation, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, Monroe County Government, City of Bloomington, Bloomington Township, Perry Township, Van Buren Township, Duke Energy, Cook Medical, Old National Bank, and Owen County State Bank. United Way will seek donations from other organizations and individuals in the weeks ahead.

Bloomington Health Foundation generously doubled the impact of individual donations with a matching grant for the first $25,000 in individual donations. 

The coalition of partners is working with direct service organizations to identify critical needs and resource gaps and the best approach to disseminate  emergency funds with the appropriate sense of urgency. As with the prior Tornado and Flood Relief Funds, safeguards will be put in place to ensure these  funds are used effectively and appropriately, and 100% of funds donated will be distributed. Organizations receiving grants will be required to report back to funders on use of the monies granted.

All partners involved agree that the priority right now is to ensure capacity in the human services sector so that individuals and families in need are supported during this pandemic, including vulnerable populations sheltered in mass settings or group homes. The fund will more specifically aim:

1) to sustain critical operations and levels of service of area nonprofits meeting community members’ basic needs  
2) to develop safe, temporary residential programs for at-risk individuals currently unsheltered, or in mass shelters or group homes
3) to fund temporary staffing or volunteer mobilization efforts in response to loss of volunteer base critical to daily operations
4) to increase capacity of local food security and basic needs systems in order to meet anticipated needs