COVID-19 Emergency Fund Trends: Notes for Funders
I’ve written so many COVID-19 emergency fund applications now I’ve lost count. And I am so happy to live in a community where foundations are stepping up and trying to support nonprofits and vulnerable community members. But that happiness doesn’t prevent me from seeing some glaring issues that are emerging as I work on all of these applications. So, are you at a foundation? Think about some of the following. Are you working in the nonprofit sector in a position where you can raise these issues or other things you’re seeing with funders? Please do so!
The picture is shifting on the impact of COVID-19 and emergency grants are not shifting fast enough to keep up. There is a lot of data coming out showing that COVID-19 fatalities are hitting Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous communities hardest. Racism is a co-morbidity- we’ve known that for a long time. Funders’ responses to COVID-19 need to explicitly address these inequities, both in emergency response now and in recovery and rebuilding.
In the rush to get funds out, a lot of funders are giving to organizations they already give to. It’s great to support your current partners, and almost everyone needs help. But don’t forget that organizations run by BIPOC leaders are less likely to get grant funding, and so more likely to be overlooked. Don’t perpetuate these structural problems in philanthropy by only giving to who you already know.
Look at the intersections of need. For example, I’ve seen a lot of funders trying hard to make sure that rural areas that tend to get less philanthropic support get help during this time. And that’s great. But make sure that money gets targeted at all communities in rural areas, especially historically underserved communities.
Keep giving. The questions have already started floating around about ‘should we hold back some funding now, knowing we’re going to need to invest more in the future?’ No! Plan to give out more money than you normally do in a given year. The needs are only going to multiply, and the people who are being doubly and triply impacted by COVID-19 are only going to see needs increase. And if history is a guide, are unlikely to get the state and federal support that White and upper class communities are going to get during the recovery process.
