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COVID-19 Prevention & Response Fund

Read the press release about the launch of the fund in:
English | Chinese  | Russian | Spanish | Vietnamese

Learn more about:

Grant Recipients to Date
Fund Overview | Grant Eligibility & Guidelines | Examples of Fund Priority Activities

 

About the Fund

Launched in April 2021, the COVID-19 Prevention & Response Fund is a community-led effort to invest in neighborhood-based solutions to urgent needs related to COVID-19. The Fund ultimately seeks to increase rates of vaccinations in communities that are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and to address the challenges exacerbated as a result of the pandemic.

The Fund uses a participatory, trust-based philanthropy approach to lower barriers to entry for groups that are often excluded from traditional grant opportunities in order to fund neighborhood-based solutions to urgent challenges (exacerbated by the pandemic) in communities that are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. To ensure the funding process was inclusive and accessible to smaller organizations and informal groups, Community Investment Advisors made recommendations on how to establish the Funds priorities, eligibility, and reporting and management criteria, as well as how to shape a streamlined grant process and make equitable decisions on how dollars are allocated. This group was comprised of people who are living and working in the community, representing Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

Beyond grant dollars, we are also partnering with the City of Philadelphia’s Philly Counts office, which will support grantees and cultivate a community of practice. Philly Counts will provide information, training and resource materials as well as logistical and operational support that will allow Fund recipients to maximize their efforts, and leverage every dollar, to raise awareness in communities about COVID-19 and increase uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Community Investment Advisors will continue to advise Philanthropy Network staff on funding criteria and granting priorities. Oversight and management for the COVID-19 Prevention & Response Fund will be coordinated by Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia.

► To make a donation to the Fund, contact Shira Hodges.

Community Investment Advisors

Our deep appreciation to these individuals for who are leading the COVID-19 Prevention & Response Fund:

Pastor Aldo Siahaan (South Philadelphia)
Aleasha Redden-Revell (Chester)
Ana Santoyo (Norristown)
Ann M. Doley (Germantown)
Bill Kaplan (Upper Darby)
Eliezer Vila, Norris Square Community Alliance (Kensington)
Gilberto Gonzalez, Community College of Philadelphia (Kensington/North Philadelphia)
Jacqueline Williams, LA21 CDC  (West Philadelphia)
Joe Podsiedlak  (Tacony)           
John Johnson III, Chester Innovations Community Services, Inc. (Chester City)         
Marina Lipkovskaya, New World Association (Far Northeast Philadelphia)
Marypat Tracy, Supportive Older Women's Network (SOWN) (North and West Philadelphia)          
Minnie McNeil, WC Atkinson Memorial Community Services Center (Coatesville)
Sonya Carroll, Backyard Diamonds  (North Philadelphia)
Yvonne Platts, Norristown New Life (Norristown)

 

Grant Guidelines, Process & Eligibility

Funding Priorities

Applicants must address at least one of the following areas:

1. In-depth education on COVID-19 prevention, vaccine safety and effectiveness, hesitancy and resistance 
2. Supporting those with barriers gaining access to vaccinations
3. Providing resources, services and vaccine information to those communities experiencing financial, physical and mental health challenges due to or made worse by  COVID-19 
4. COVID-19 related outreach, educational, and event promotion campaigns to better inform and activate the community  

► CLICK HERE FOR EXAMPLES of activities that might fall under each priority category.

Guidelines

The COVID-19 Prevention & Response Fund will rapidly deploy resources to support communities with education and outreach related to COVID-19. Funding will prioritize these specific communities in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. See below for communities listed by county and zip code, or CLICK HERE for an interactive map of the fund's target geography.

The Fund will accept applications from 501(c)(3) organizations, businesses and individuals working in the designated communities in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia and counties. Funds will be distributed as general operating support grants, and will be awarded based on activities that provide direct relief to communities located in priority funding areas and towards projects addressing the funding priorities.  All applications will be reviewed and funding decisions made based on alignment with criteria set by the Community Investment Advisors. Grant amounts will be determined based on funds available.

Open inviation to apply:

  • Grants for community-based organizations with budgets up to $2.5 million |Organizations may request grants up to $7,500 and must complete a simple application. 

Applications accepted BY INVITATION ONLY for:

  • Grants for community-based organizations with budgets OVER to $2.5 million |Organizations may request grants up to $7,500

  • Grants for Businesses | Businesses may request grants up to $7,500

  • Grants for individuals | Individuals may request grants up to $3,000

As a reminder, in order to support grassroots community efforts that leverage existing networks, the Fund will issue an open invitation to nonprofit organizations with budgets under $2.5 million. Individuals, businesses, and nonprofits with a budget over $2.5 million must be invited to apply. If you fall under one of these three categories and have not been contacted directly with an invitation from one of the Fund’s Community Investment Advisors or a representative of Philly Counts, you are not eligible to apply. We ask that you please do not reach out to Philly Counts, Philanthropy Network or a Fund advisor to request an invitation.

See below for PDFs of sample grant applications.

Eligibility

All applicants must serve one or more of the communities listed above. Your program must address one or more of these priority areas:

  • In-depth education on COVID-19 prevention, vaccine safety and effectiveness, hesitancy and resistance 
  • Supporting those with barriers gaining access to vaccinations
  • Providing resources, services and vaccine information to those communities experiencing financial, physical and mental health challenges due to or made worse by COVID-19 
  • COVID-19 related outreach, educational, and event promotion campaigns to better inform and activate the community  

2. Your program must serve one or more of the following populations:

  • Asian, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander 
  • Black or African American, specifically black males 18-44
  • Elderly
  • Homeless
  • Immigrant and refugees
  • Hispanic/Latinx/Latino/Latina
  • Low-income
  • Native/First Nation
  • Other People of Color 
  • People currently incarcerated
  • People in other congregate living situations
  • People struggling with addiction and/or with mental illness
  • People with disabilities
  • People re-entering the community
  • Youth and young adults

3. You must have a track record of community engagement and trust.

4. You must be willing to work with Philly Counts who will provide access to educational materials and trainings.

Process & Timing

NOTE: Round 3 applications closed Monday, September 27th at 5:00 PM.


How to Apply

The Fund is not currently accepting applications.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to view this Introduction & Eligibility information before applying.

Ways to Apply

We have provided a few different ways for you to apply for this grant. Please pick the one that works best for you. You will have the ability to pick an option once you start the application process.

  • Online submission
  • Phone submission – One of our team members will call to ask you the questions on the written application, we will take notes and use this as your submission.
  • Video submission – Record yourself answering the questions on the written application.
  • Written submission – We will provide you with the word document of the application. You are welcome to hand write your submission and return to us.


Open Invitation to Apply


By Invitation Only

If you fall into one of the three categories listed below, you must be invited by a Community Investment Advisor or a representative from Philly Counts to apply. We respectfully ask that you please do not reach out to Philly Counts, Philanthropy Network or a Fund advisor to request an invitation.

 

Questions?

Contact Shira Hodges at shira@philanthropynetwork.org.