HoCo Organizations Team Up To Raise $100K To Fight Coronavirus

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — In an effort to support Howard County nonprofits that are working overtime during the new coronavirus pandemic, the Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland and Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County are teaming up to generate $100,000 in the next 10 days.

While some may think it's a lofty goal, it's a critical step for the organizations who are coordinating the efforts to rapidly raise funds and deploy crucial resources through HoCoRespond.com. They are assessing where assistance may be needed, accepting donations, providing funding to assist Howard County nonprofits on the front line of support and focusing on assisting with food security, housing, childcare and healthcare.

Donations will be used to provide increased access to emergency food and basic supplies, rent and mortgage assistance, utility assistance, child care, direct financial assistance for household supplies, and nonprofit safety and operations assistance. It may also be used to help strengthen the local health care system’s response and support front line health care workers.

“We’re facing an unparalleled challenge, and it will require collective action and support for those that are impacted the hardest,” said County Executive Calvin Ball in a statement. “We’re calling upon our community to practice kindness and compassion in supporting their neighbors, friends and strangers through this time.”

Aside from a credit card processing fee, 100 percent of all donations will go directly to support services and supplies for those in need.

“Through this fund, we are coordinating with peers in philanthropy, government and business to respond to the urgent health and economic needs of disproportionately impacted communities in Howard County,” added Franklyn Baker, president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland. “We know that in these unprecedented times, our community will take care of one another, and I have no doubt that we will reach our initial goal of raising $100,000 in 10 days in record time.”

Anyone looking to help can donate to the following emergency funds supporting nonprofits that are assisting community members affected by COVID-19:

• The Community Foundation of Howard County has its established Howard County Community Relief Fund to address ongoing emergencies in Howard County. Members of the community and fund holders at the foundation are invited to donate.

• The United Way of Central Maryland has established the COVID-19 Community Fund for Central Maryland to support the community, and in particular, support those who operate on the frontlines of providing help and resources to those in need. Community members are invited to donate.

• The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County has its long-established Emergency Response Network (ERN) for donors to support specific needs in the community that the WGC will match in the coming weeks and months ahead.

“Howard County Funders are committed to taking steps to address the coronavirus outbreak in ways that include deep considerations of equity, taking care to support community members who are most impacted,” said Nikki Highsmith Vernick, president and CEO of the Horizon Foundation. “We strongly believe that funders must put equity at the forefront of the COVID-19 response."

The opportunity for nonprofits to apply for funding will be available at HoCoRespond.com when the $100,000 goal is reached.

“Nonprofits that meet the basic needs of Howard County residents are eligible for operating support including those that provide child care, food, housing, health care and mental health services, as well as those that support our local health care system and frontline health care workers,” said Beverly White-Seals, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Howard County.

This unprecedented public health crisis is continuously evolving and the organizers behind HoCoRespond.com will be monitoring the situation and adjusting efforts as necessary.

“As the management of the spread of COVID-19 continues to evolve at a fast pace, each organization will continue to work diligently to keep abreast of the updates, respond accordingly and support decisions made by county, state and federal authorities,” said Barb Van Winkle, chair of the Women’s Giving Circle.

Read more:

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