Community Foundation of Tampa Bay launches response fund, disperses $1.64 million in endowment benefits

March 19, 2020, Tampa, FL – The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay has launched the Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund to support area nonprofits and the people they serve during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Foundation also has expedited the semi-annual payments that go to nonprofits that benefit from endowments held at the Foundation. Those payments total more than $1.64 million and were disbursed to 211 nonprofits across the Tampa Bay region this week.

The Foundation has seeded the Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund with a contribution from its own funds and will steward donations from other foundations, corporations and individuals who want to contribute to the region-wide effort during this crisis.

Money from the fund will be granted strategically to community-based organizations that are facing huge demand or significant service and financial interruptions during this time.
Those who wish to contribute to the Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund may do so online at CFTampaBay.org/RapidResponse.

In any emergency, the nonprofit organizations most immediately impacted are those who work with our area’s most vulnerable people and families. Those include:
• Food pantries and food distribution agencies
• Services to the elderly
• Community health centers
• Homeless shelters
• Child-care providers

However, the CORVID-19 pandemic is impacting every sector: education, health care, basic needs (food and shelter), the arts, animal services and more.
The Foundation’s professional staff, in consultation with other area experts, will strategically grant money from the Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund so that it can have the strongest impact to help the people hardest hit by this and other emergencies.

“Our mission every day is to build a stronger, more resilient community, and never is that more important than in a time of crisis,” said Marlene Spalten, President and CEO. “Together — with our generous donors, our civic leaders, our corporate citizens, our partners and the residents of Tampa Bay — we can weather adversity and care for each other.”

While the Foundation’s Community Impact team works with nonprofits, the Philanthropy team is coordinating giving with donors and Family Foundations within the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.

Questions about giving? Contact Sheila Kinman, Senior VP, Philanthropy: kinman@cftampabay.org.

Are you a nonprofit that wants to report your needs? The Community Impact team is developing a central repository for that information. Until then, email info@cftampabay.org.