Coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund Created For Loudoun, Fauquier

LOUDOUN AND FAUQUIER COUNTIES, VA — The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties has established a Community Emergency Relief Fund to raise money for coronavirus emergency response and relief efforts in Loudoun County and northern Fauquier County. The foundation has raised $35,775 so far and has set a goal of $200,000.

The Community Foundation is working closely with local nonprofit groups to provide grants that will be used to meet both immediate and long-term needs related to the impact of the coronavirus in the region. The foundation has formed a Community Emergency Relief Fund Advisory Committee to advise on the distribution of any funds raised.

Donations will support local nonprofit organizations that help older members of the community, hourly wage earners, and families in financial crisis meet their basic needs. Many people in the community need help paying their mortgage or rent and utility bills as well as covering food and medical expenses.

The foundation hopes to announce its first grant recipients next week. The foundation "will zero in on nonprofits that have systems in place to directly help individuals and families: rent, utilities, prescription costs," Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties President Amy Owen said Saturday in an email to Patch.

In the event the funds raised through the Community Emergency Relief Fund are no longer needed for coronavirus relief, remaining funds will be reserved for future local disaster relief efforts.

Donations can be made online or by writing checks to “Community Foundation,” with “Community Emergency Relief Fund” in memo line. Checks should then be mailed to: Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties PO Box 342. Leesburg, VA 20178.

Stay up-to-date on the new coronavirus in Virginia. Get Patch news alerts.

Founded in 1999, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier is designed to promote community giving in the region. There are more than 850 similar community foundations across the United States.

The foundation also is working with the Visit Loudoun Foundation. Because of the shutdown of Loudoun’s tourism and hospitality businesses, the Visit Loudoun Foundation has created the Loudoun Tourism & Hospitality Relief Fund within the community foundation system. Donations made will specifically help Loudoun’s restaurant and tasting room personnel, housekeeping and hotels staff, agritourism workers, and event and attraction staff.

To donate to the Loudoun Tourism & Hospitality Relief Fund, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties has created a special webpage for giving online. Checks should be made to the“Community Foundation,” with “T&H Relief Fund” in the memo line and mailed to Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties PO Box 342. Leesburg, VA 20178.

Interested donors should visit the foundation's website. For more information, contact Owen at 703- 779-3505, x1 or amy@communityfoundationlf.org.