Unity in the Community

Kitsap's COVID-19 Response Fund

 

As community leaders and philanthropists we focus on protecting and aiding those who are most vulnerable. With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting those among us, Kitsap Community Foundation and United Way of Kitsap are stepping up to help Kitsap and North Mason nonprofits and those who are impacted during this time. We invite your support and participation in the following ways:

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• Contribute to the fund online
  Or mail your check made out to Kitsap COVID-19 Response Fund may be mailed to PO Box 3670, Silverdale, WA 98383

• If your organization would like to join the coalition as a funding partner, contact Kol Medina, CEO of Kitsap Community Foundation, at 360-698-3622, or Carl Borg, CEO of United Way of Kitsap County at (360) 377-8505. 

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Hosted by Kitsap Community Foundation and United Way of Kitsap County, the Unity in the Community COVID-19 Response Fund will rapidly deploy flexible resources to nonprofits and individuals in Kitsap and North Mason County. With an emphasis on increasing resiliency in disproportionately affected nonprofits and their associated workers in our community, this fund will address the economic impact of reduced and lost revenue and wages due to the broader COVID-19 outbreak. The Fund will help our local nonprofits respond to this epidemic and maintain their own resilience.

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Addressing the immediate needs of economically vulnerable populations caused by COVID-19 related closures, the increased demand for medical information and support, and fear and confusion about the outbreak among our most vulnerable residents are also top priorities of the Fund.

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The Fund expects to move an initial round of grants within the next few weeks, and is actively seeking investments from businesses and individuals. With a starting balance of $30,000, the impact of this fund could include:

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• Wage replacement for workers unable to work or receive unemployment, who would otherwise face homelessness or hunger;

• Revenue replacement for nonprofits unable to hold events or fundraisers, who would otherwise face closure;

• Increased staffing for agencies facing unprecedented capacity increase and working on COVID-19 preventative and response efforts.

 

The United Way of Kitsap County and Kitsap Community Foundation will administer grants from the Fund, proactively identifying potential grant recipients, soliciting guidance on potential recipients from community advisors, and recommending final awards. Funds will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs in subsequent funding phases.

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Please have patience with us as we develop further details of this Fund in the coming days.  

Other Ways to Help​

If you would like to be part of Kitsap's Mutual Aid effort, we invite you to complete the intake form or view our community's mutual aid needs.

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If you are interested in donating to a response fund that will be used primarily to support Bainbridge Island’s nonprofits and community, you can donate to the Bainbridge Community Foundation Community Response Fund. Learn about Bainbridge Island's Mutual Aid program.