As a community, we can do more together to help the folks who need us most
Just last month, I was invited to tell the uplifting story of how Blue Grass Community Foundation (BGCF) had reached the milestone of awarding $100 million in local grants, thanks to our community’s growing generosity. That now seems so distant, as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps our country and commonwealth, threatening the safety, health and financial security of our communities and the nonprofits that serve them.
At BGCF, although we’re working from home, we’re open for business. And though we are on very solid financial footing, we know that many other nonprofits are facing an uncertain future. Relatively few have an endowment fund and most have limited reserves — about 50 percent of nonprofits have less than one month of operating cash. As a result of the coronavirus crisis, too many nonprofits are standing on shaky ground, just when they are needed the most.
At the same time, nonprofits on the frontlines of responding to this crisis are experiencing an exponential increase in demand for their services. Other nonprofits are also being dramatically impacted by closures of libraries, schools, performing arts venues and museums. The cancellation of fundraisers, cultural, religious and community events and programs has put additional stress on the budgets of charitable organizations.
With the United Way of the Bluegrass, and a network of philanthropic, government and business partners, we’ve come together to create the Coronavirus Response Fund. We are raising resources to invest in the health and well-being of our regional community. Grants from the fund are already being rapidly deployed to nonprofits to immediately respond to the pandemic, with a focus on meeting the nutrition, health-care, childcare, information and other basic needs of our most vulnerable neighbors.
We’ve already raised more than $400,000. Grants made from the fund now total $136,000. Each week, additional grants will be paid out of the fund, but the demand for assistance will only grow greater in the weeks ahead.
The best way to battle the uncertainty and fear brought on by this pandemic is to take action. What can we do? We can be kind to ourselves, care for our families, look out for our neighbors and give if we can. If you can give, whatever the amount, here are three ways you can make a difference right now:
1. Give to the Coronavirus Response Fund
• Donate online at https://bgcf.givingfuel.com/coronavirus
• Text the amount of your donation in numbers (100, 500, 1000, etc.) to 859.208.2850
• If you have a Donor-Advised Charitable Fund at BGCF, make a grant
• Send your check, made payable to BGCF to us at:
Blue Grass Community Foundation
Attn: Coronavirus Response Fund, 499 E. High Street, #112, Lexington, KY 40507
Additional information about the Coronavirus Response Fund can be found at www.bgcf.org/coronavirus.
2. Give with confidence to trusted local nonprofits
• Now, more than ever, our nonprofit community needs your financial support. A complete directory of Kentucky nonprofits can be found at www.bgcf.org/kynonprofitdirectory
3. Pay it forward
• Visit www.lexsticktogether.com to view a listing of local restaurants and businesses from which you can purchase a gift card with the option of donating that card to a local first responder, health-care worker or the Coronavirus Response Fund.
We are all in this together. To stay informed, check out the digital town halls being hosted by CivicLex on the impact of COVID-19, and look for more information on those in the Herald-Leader. It’s a great way to stay engaged during this time of social distancing. This week’s topic covers the needs of local nonprofits. You can join in the digital town hall at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Find more information on the CivicLex Facebook page.
Our community is stronger and more caring because of the many nonprofits that help expand opportunity, improve health and provide vital services. Right now, they need us to be strong for them. Now is the time to show the nonprofits who care about us that we care about them. I am confident we will emerge from this crisis a stronger, more resilient and charitable community.
We are at our best when we do good together.
Lisa Adkins is the president and CEO of the Blue Grass Community Foundation.
This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 11:47 AM.