PHILADELPHIA, May 21, 2021 — The City of Philadelphia’s Philly Counts office and Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia announced the recipients of the first round of grants from the COVID- 19 Prevention & Response Fund, a community-led ef- fort to invest in neighborhood-based solutions to urgent needs related to COVID-19.
The Fund awarded its first round of grants totaling $365,150 to 49 individuals and nonprofit organizations working to increase COVID-19 education, vaccine access, health resources, and outreach activities in their communities. Grants were directed to 34 priority communities in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties that have been hardest hit by the pandemic. Seventy-two percent of funds went to organizations led by a person of color, and over 50 percent was distributed to organizations with at least 90 percent of their staff living in the communities they serve. A complete list of grant recipients, https://philanthropynetwork.org/sites/default/files/COVID%20fund%20- %20final%20grant%20list%20for%20website%20v2.pdf?mc_cid=d5f8a5e 0dd&mc_eid=6c3587cc41
“JGP uses the arts as a tool to help, serve, educate and inspire. In the last year, many of our initiatives, programs, and events, came to a halt due to Covid-19. With the sup- port and funding from PNAF, we can kickstart the reopen- ing of our studio and open our doors to artists & community members,” said John Graves, a COVID-19 Prevention & Response Fund grantee, Founder of JGP Productions.
Beyond funding, grant recipients will be partnered with Philly Counts, which will support and cultivate a commu- nity of practice. Philly Counts will provide information, training, and resource materials as well as logistical and operational support that will allow Fund recipients to max- imize their efforts, and leverage every dollar, to raise awareness in communities about COVID-19 and increase uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We at Philly Counts team know how important it is to compliment community organizing with low barrier funding for community-based organizations who are already doing such important work. This summer we will have our first cohort of The Philly Counts Ambassador Program which is a paid, ten-week organizing and workforce de- velopment program. Ambassadors will work in priority neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. This is another way that we can ensure funding for community work is getting back to our neighborhoods,” said Stephanie Reid, Executive Director of Philly Counts.
To ensure the funding process was inclusive and accessible to smaller organizations and informal groups, Community Investment Advisors established the Fund’s priorities, eligibility, criteria, and application, as well as how to shape a streamlined grant process and make equitable decisions on how dollars are allocated.
“The most wonderful thing about participating as a Community Investment Advisor is meeting so many people engaging in conversation that will lead to saving lives. We are impacting communities that are many times over-looked or forgotten,” said Gilberto Gonzalez, Community Investment Advisor from Kensington, North Philadelphia.
The COVID-19 Prevention and Response Fund will ac- cept donations to aid nonprofits and individuals supporting their community through the pandemic. The second round of applications for the Fund will be open from Tuesday, June 1 through Friday, June 11, 2021.
About Philly Counts
Philly Counts is helping direct community engagement efforts for the COVID-19 vaccine. In partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and other public and private partners, Philly Counts will leverage its existing network of staff and volunteers to provide COVID-19 outreach, education, organizing, and canvassing efforts to ensure that every Philadelphia resident understands why they should consider being vaccinated.
About Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia
Philanthropy Network connects, convenes, and leads the region’s funders to amplify the power of philanthropy as a catalyst for collective action, effective giving, and positive change in Greater Philadelphia and to advance our region’s legacy as a hub for invention and innovation. Learn more at philanthropynetwork.org.
About the Covid-19 Prevention & Response Fund
The COVID-19 Prevention & Response Fund is a community-led effort to invest in neighborhood-based solutions related to COVID-19 and equity imbalances exacerbated by the pandemic. The Fund uses a participatory, trust-based philanthropy approach to lower barriers to entry for groups that are often excluded from traditional grant opportunities. The Fund is supported by more than a dozen regional funders and ultimately seeks to increase vaccination rates in communities hardest hit by the pandemic. Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia provides oversight and management for the COVID-19 Prevention & Response Fund. Learn more at https://philanthropynetwork.org/covid-19-prevention-response-fund
