Central Minn. Emergency Relief & Recovery Fund

Help Those Hard Hit by COVID-19

Foundation Delivers $110,000+ in Regional Relief

The Initiative Foundation, through its Central Minnesota Emergency Relief and Recovery Fund, has delivered more than  $110,000 in grants to meet critical needs in the region as we face the sweeping and unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

The fund was seeded with $20,000 from the Initiative Foundation. Additional funding ($50,000) comes  from the Minnesota Council on Foundation's and its Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund for Coronavirus and the Blandin Foundation, which has contributed $25,000. It's our hope that you will join us in growing this fund for maximum regional impact.

Your gift will be used to make grants to nonprofits and local units of government to assist disproportionately affected communities; to address the economic impacts of reduced and lost work resulting from the outbreak; to meet immediate needs of economically vulnerable populations caused by coronavirus-related closures; and to respond to increased demands placed on our stressed social support systems. Over the long-term, the fund will be refocused to support recovery needs that will inevitably arise.

Gifts to this fund can support services that:

• Help those whose jobs are affected or will be affected in the near future.
• Help those who face food scarcity.
• Help those whose household utilities or housing may be affected, and more.

The Initiative Foundation has a long history of effective disaster response, supporting recovery efforts following a major tornado in Wadena and a fire in downtown Melrose, for example.

"We’re applying our disaster response and recovery experience to this new challenge," said Matt Varilek, Initiative Foundation president. "We intend to stand with Central Minnesotans through this COVID-19 epidemic for as long as it takes to recover and return stronger than ever.”

Thinking of a large donation? Contact us today for one-on-one guidance to maximize your investment. Contact Carl Newbanks at (320) 631-2042 or via email at cnewbanks@ifound.org.

If you’d rather make an offline donation, make checks payable to the Initiative Foundation, 405 1st St. SE, Little Falls, MN 56345. Please note "Central Minnesota Emergency Relief & Recovery Fund” in the memo line.

Your generous gift will be available immediately to support grants to the region.