Two rounds of grants now total $57,650
(BLACKHAWK REGION) – United Way Blackhawk Region (UWBR) proudly announces its second round of COVID-19 Action Fund grants totaling $24,173.32. The fund was established to provide flexible resources to nonprofit programs in Rock County and northern Winnebago County that are directly supporting local, vulnerable residents and families.
The following four nonprofit agencies received a COVID-19 Action Fund grant:
- $8,667 to Agrace Hospice Care to help meet the needs of patients, family members, volunteers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- $5,800 to Family Promise of Greater Beloit for hotel/motel vouchers to shelter families, individuals and couples experiencing homelessness in and around Beloit.
- $7,558.32 to House of Mercy Homeless Shelter for the purchase of hotel/motel vouchers used to shelter Mercyhealth House of Mercy Homeless Center clients who are considered high-risk for contracting COVID-19
- $2,148 to the YMCA of Northern Rock County to reduce the hourly charge for childcare for essential workers from $5 down to $3.
Organizations eligible to apply for United Way Blackhawk Region’s COVID-19 Action Fund include: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, other charitable organizations able to receive a tax-deductible contribution, such as schools, faithbased organizations or other public entities.
UWBR’s volunteer-driven Community Impact Council is overseeing all requests for funding and will release funds on a rolling basis. Future grant allocations will be announced as determinations are made.
“Fundraising for the COVID-19 Action Fund has reached $248,521, $100,000 of which was seeded by United Way Blackhawk Region reserves,” said United Way Blackhawk Region President and CEO Mary Fanning-Penny. “We are grateful for the generous donations of all sizes that have been made to the Action Fund by 151 local donors and community-minded organizations.”
The following corporate/foundation donations have been made to the COVID-19 Action Fund:
- Alliant Energy – $10,000
- Associated Bank – $2,500
- Century 21 Affiliated – $200
- Dan & Patti Rashke (TASC) Family Foundation – $1,000
- Data Dimensions – $10,000
- Ecolab – $16,500
- Festival Foods – $6,000 First National Bank & Trust – $10,000
- Hearing Care Associates – $100 Janesville Brick & Tile – $500
- Janesville Foundation – $5,000
- Janesville Morning Rotary – $2,000
- Kiwanis Club of Janesville- $1,000
- Neese Family Foundation- $20,000
- Schnucks – $4,988
- State Bank of Cross Plains – $2,500
- U.S. Bank – $920
There is still time to make a donation to the COVID-19 Action Fund. Anyone interested in making a gift of any size can visit LiveUnitedBR.org/COVID-19 or text “GiveCovid” to 41444. Checks made payable to United Way Blackhawk Region’s Action Fund may also be mailed to PO Box 2780, Janesville, WI 53547-2780.
“United Way is always on the front lines of community problems, both everyday problems and crises. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception,” Fanning-Penny stated. “In addition to raising funds and awarding grants from the Action Fund, United Way provides community members with impactful ways to both get help and give help.”
