CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH - Cuyahoga County will contribute $4.25 million to Phase II of the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, launched by a coalition of Northeast Ohio philanthropic, corporate and civic partners to support nonprofit organizations in Cuyahoga County and beyond that are dealing with the ongoing effects of the pandemic.

Cuyahoga County’s contribution will be funded through the County’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). County Executive Armond Budish sought and received approval from Cuyahoga County Council President Dan Brady to release the $4.25 million in funding as part of the County’s Emergency Purchase Request process.

II of the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund extends the focus of Phase I which included meeting basic needs, securing personal protective equipment (PPE) and helping prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

One grant ($250,000) from the County’s contribution for Phase II will support emerging needs, such as expanded community-based coronavirus testing and contact tracing and supporting families through this uniquely challenging school year. This contribution will be added to more than $3 million in current funding from coalition partners for eligible non-profits in Phase II. Grants will be distributed by the Cleveland Foundation on behalf of the coalition of partners.

A second grant ($4 million) from the County’s overall contribution will create and support the efforts of a new work group to address homelessness and other basic needs as part of a new multi-sector Phase II COVID continuous recovery effort. This working group will involve multiple funders and providers to think together on more sustainable solutions to housing homeless and unsheltered individuals and other critical resources for residents during this pandemic.

“This pandemic has had lasting effects on our community and will continue to do so,” said County Executive Armond Budish. “Phase II of the Rapid Response Fund is going to further our efforts to support organizations that help residents who have been impacted by the pandemic while also focusing on our homeless population and finding them placement, especially before winter and the cold weather hits. I’m grateful for our partners and the cross-collaboration taking place that has made this critical effort possible.”

Thanks to the generosity of more than 80 corporate, civic and philanthropic partners, as well as nearly 2,300 individuals and families across the region, more than $8.6 million was distributed to nearly 160 organizations across Northeast Ohio during Phase I of the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund.

“As we’ve unfortunately seen from the rising COVID-19 numbers both here in Ohio and across the country, this pandemic is not going away anytime soon,” said Cleveland Foundation President & CEO Ronn Richard. “We’re extremely grateful for the County’s partnership to not only continue its support of the incredible non-profit organizations doing the work on the frontlines of our community every day, but also for its long-term vision of building a coalition to help the growing number of homeless and unsheltered individuals in Cuyahoga County as we see the pandemic’s compounding and devastating effects on the lives and livelihoods of our fellow residents.”

The Fund is designed primarily to support human service nonprofits with operational budgets of less than $20 million. Organizations that were funded during Phase I (between March-July 2020) are eligible to apply for additional funding. Grants are limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, or other charitable organizations able to receive a tax-deductible contribution. To apply for funding, visit ClevelandFoundation.org/Response.

About Cuyahoga County Cuyahoga County is focused on Economic growth and Opportunity, Fairness and Equity and a Government That Gets Results. We believe that we can create and support a vibrant and prosperous region where everyone thrives and all things are possible. For more information on Cuyahoga County please visit cuyahogacounty.us. Follow us on social media: =Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CuyahogaCounty Twitter: https://twitter.com/CuyahogaCounty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuyahogacounty/ and sign up for our newsletter: https://cuyahogacounty.us/county-news/newsletter-registration.

About the Cleveland Foundation: Established in 1914, the Cleveland Foundation is the world's first community foundation and one of the largest today, with assets of $2.6 billion and 2019 grants of more than $114 million. Through the generosity of donors, the foundation improves the lives of residents of Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties by building community endowment, addressing needs through grantmaking and providing leadership on vital issues. The foundation’s program areas include arts and culture, economic and workforce development, education, environment, leadership development, neighborhoods, and youth development and social services. For more information, visit www.ClevelandFoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.