Donations pour in to COVID-19 relief funds at St. Louis Community Foundation

An anonymous donor has established a $250,000 challenge grant to spur contributions to two coronavirus relief funds administered by the St. Louis Community Foundation, and the challenge is being met throughout the bi-state area.

According to the foundation, $150,000 will be used to match donations from individuals and family foundations to the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund, which directs assistance to nonprofits providing relief services for underserved populations; and, $100,000 will match contributions to the Gateway Resilience Fund, which provides $500 grants to employees and owners of bars, restaurants, shops, other small business, and artists who have been affected by the coronavirus disruptions.

“We’re thrilled that this donor decided to step forward with this challenge to St. Louis,” said Amelia Bond, president and CEO of the St. Louis Community Foundation. “Our community is a generous one and the need in the region is great.”

The challenge grant will close on May 3, meaning individual contributions to both funds made on or before that date will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to specified limits, Bond added. To donate, visit stlgives.org/covid19.

As of April 29, the two funds have dispersed a total of $3.178 million — up from $2.051 million announced on April 17. A total of $6.5 million has been raised for both funds.

– Gateway Resilience Fund:  Total contributions to the Gateway Resilience Fund are $1.68 million. And over the last five weeks, 2,879 individuals and 20 businesses received grants totaling $1.544 million for short-term financial relief.

– COVID-19 Regional Response Fund: Nearly $1.65 million has been given to 47 nonprofit organizations in the bi-state region, which are helping provide services to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, the unhoused, and those who are food insecure. Grants from the fund are directed by an Advisory Council, which is comprised of public health experts, foundation partners, and corporate and community representatives.

Started at the beginning of the crisis by a St. Louis Community Foundation donor, the Resilience Fund has received contributions from 824 individuals, along with gifts from the Build-A-Bear Foundation, Moneta Charitable Foundation, and NISA Investment Advisors.

In addition, the St. Louis Community Foundation is encouraging nonprofits that are providing services to at risk populations to apply for grants up to $10,000 from the Regional Response Fund.

The COVID-19 Regional Response Fund coalition members can be found here.

To contribute to either fund, visit stlgives.org/covid19.