SSCF's Emergency Response Fund for Community Needs
SSCF's Emergency Response Fund for Community Needs
Almost immediately after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SSCF Board and staff moved swiftly to establish the Emergency Response Fund for Community Need (ERF). This initiative was intended to address urgent community needs resulting from the pandemic.
More than $1 million, which included funding from the estate of a generous SSCF founding member and donations rallied by community leaders, was quickly made available. A team of community stakeholders assessed more than 50 applications. This Fund provided urgent help for addressing food security issues, shelter shortages, helping with children’s needs, and meeting the most vulnerable populations’ needs.
Within four weeks, our community raised more approximately $1 million and granted it to 32 organizations. By June, we had granted an additional $60,000 to two organizations.
This funding resulted in a total of $1,044,325 being awarded to 34 organizations within the ERF initiative.
This funding resulted in a total of $1,044,325 being awarded to 34 organizations within the ERF initiative.
“Generous donors and numerous organizations stepped up to ensure front-line charities could assist those in most desperate need,” says Donna Ziegler. “With it, approximately $1 million went directly back to the community. This assistance included a matching $500,00 made available from the estate of a generous founding member of the Foundation. We are indebted for all efforts to help ensure essential needs in our community are met.”