Kentucky nonprofits are stressed helping offset effects of COVID-19. How you can help.

Nonprofits across the Bluegrass are facing a groundswell of traffic and requests amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. During this unprecedented time, we are trying to remain calm, stay hopeful and serve our communities to the best of our abilities. We see neighbors helping neighbors, generous donors and corporate citizens, and a renewed respect for our healthcare workers and first responders as they rally to protect our health and safety.

We continue to celebrate the wins, but as each day passes our nonprofits are fighting to balance the pendulum of rising needs and declining resources. Unemployment is impacting our most vulnerable citizens at an alarming rate, and more people are calling for assistance with food, rent and other basic needs each passing day. Many who have never relied on public or private assistance will need to do so in the future. Low-wage and gig economy workers are disproportionately vulnerable, but soon our own neighbors, friends and family members will feel the impact and will need our help.

While businesses are trying to weather this pandemic to the extent they can, it’s important that we don’t lose sight of another important segment of our business community – the nonprofit sector. Nonprofits comprise roughly 15 percent of the Bluegrass’ business community. Many nonprofits are already making sacrifices to ensure that they can help as many people as possible, all while changing how they deliver services to allow for social distancing. Local agencies will soon be serving twice or three times the number of people than their budgets allow. We fear this number will continue to rise as more individuals, seniors and families are impacted by the pandemic and the disruptions that come along with it. Nonprofits are a critical part of our social safety net and are in place to complement the services rendered by government and faith-based institutions.

For many nonprofits, financial reserves and resources were low or nonexistent before this crisis. While we are used to operating on “shoe-string” budgets, we are entering uncharted territory. We face the stark reality that many of our strongest partners and resource providers may not withstand the consequences of this outbreak or may not be able to provide the level of support that our communities desperately need today and immediately following this crisis. I say this not to create fear or panic, but to urge those of you who are employed and able to act. We need your support more than ever before.

No sector or corner of our community will be left untouched, but as a recent transplant to the Bluegrass region, I am reminded and encouraged by the philanthropic spirit embodied by our community. This reassures me, and history reminds me that when we come together, we can see ourselves through tough times and stand stronger with greater resolve. Now is the time to unite and help one another. Patronize local businesses and restaurants. Share encouraging words and lend a hand to your neighbors - and if you can, please also consider a donation to a nonprofit. Your support may come in the form of a financial gift or a physical donation of supplies. Without food stores and sanitization supplies, many agencies cannot continue to support our community. If you want to help, but don’t know where to start, please consider a gift to the Coronavirus Response Fund - a regional coalition led by United Way and the Blue Grass Community Foundation. The Fund is providing rapid-response grants to regional organizations working on the frontlines to help people in-need through this difficult time. To learn more about this effort, visit www.UWBG.org.

I believe in the undeniable power of community and finding meaningful ways to make a difference. If we each do our part to support one another and take the steps needed to protect ourselves and our neighbors, we will rise stronger than ever before. That’s what it means to Live United.

Timothy Johnson is the president and CEO of United Way of the Bluegrass.

This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 12:04 PM.