SPOKANE, WA, April 1, 2020; The Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation announced today a donation of $150,000 to the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Funds that will rapidly deploy resources to community-based organizations at the frontlines of the region’s coronavirus outbreak. $100,000 has been allocated to the North Idaho COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund and $50,000 to the Eastern Washington COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.
“We are grateful for the partnership with Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation and their support of the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Funds,” said Innovia Foundation CEO Shelly O’Quinn. “This funding will quickly reach our local communities and those in our region who are most vulnerable to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The COVID-19 Response Funds are hosted at Innovia Foundation in partnership with Empire Health Foundation and Spokane County United Way in Eastern Washington, and Idaho Community Foundation, Equinox Foundation and Avista Foundation in North Idaho.
“The COVID pandemic has put tremendous strain on the organizations that serve our communities. Not only is there an increased need for services, but most have lost their fundraising events, a major source of necessary revenue for their activities,” said Dr. John Rusche, President of the Board of Community Advisors at the Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation. “More need, less resources—we will try to help.” The $150,000 support from Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation brings the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund total to over $1,000,000.
In the coming weeks, the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Funds will provide funding to organizations that have deep roots in community and strong experience serving the elderly, homeless, residents without health insurance and/or access to sick days, communities of color, people with limited English language proficiency, healthcare, hospitality and gig economy workers, and low-wage employees, among others.
Grants will be administered in partnership with a regional community advisory group consisting of residents and leaders from health, economic and human services sectors. The advisory group will proactively identify potential grant recipients. Grants will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs in subsequent funding phases. The advisory group expects to make an initial round of grants within the next few weeks.
Individuals and organizations can donate and find additional information about the COVID-19 Response Funds via www.innovia.org/covid19.
The COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Funds are anchored by donations from funders including Innovia Foundation, Empire Health Foundation, Spokane County United Way, Avista Foundation, BECU, Burlington Northern, Community Building Foundation, Equinox Foundation, MultiCare Health System, Premera Blue Cross, Providence Health Care, Umpqua, Wells Fargo, Women Helping Women Fund, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation.
