Suffolk Foundation Disaster Relief Fund
COVID-19 Response
It is times like this when philanthropy can lean into its leadership role and unite our community for the greater good. At the Suffolk Foundation, we are responding to the uncertainty with proactive action and collaboration.We have activated our regional disaster response fund to ensure resources are available for emerging needs related to the coronavirus and its impact in our region. The fund was originally established in response to the 2008 tornados that struck our area. After meeting those needs, the fund’s remaining balance has been held in reserve in preparation for the next crisis. The current fund balance is approximately $60,000.
Help us add to the remaining funds to support the needs of this current crisis.
Purpose of the Fund
The Disaster Relief Fund will be administered as a public-private partnership between philanthropy, government, and the nonprofit sector to address the most immediate urgent needs, as well as the longer term effects of the pandemic and community recovery. Grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations only, not individuals.
We will remain responsive to needs as they emerge, but the fund will initially support:
- Proven community-based organizations who support the physical and emotional health of our most vulnerable residents – including children, seniors, and the homeless.
- Operating needs of safety net clinics; food access providers; child and adult care organizations; housing providers for the homeless.
- Secondarily, the fund will consider the hardships of our nonprofit organizations due to the loss of income or revenue.
How to Give
This is a collaborative effort and we gladly invite additional contributions from foundations, corporate partners, and individual donors. To ensure the greatest flexibility in addressing the needs over time, we ask that all donations remain unrestricted within the framework of coronavirus response. Want to recommend a grant from your fund by email? Email office@suffolkfoundation.org
Submit Non-Profit Needs
In order to move resources quickly, we are not hosting a formal application process for the Fund at this time. Instead, you may share your needs to let us know how your organization is affected, help us assess emergent needs in the region, and to inform our decisions going forward.
To find out more about the Suffolk Foundation, contact our staff at
757-923-9090 or office@suffolkfoundation.org.