In response to COVID-19, the Valley Community Foundation (VCF), Valley United Way (VUW), Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce (GVCC), and the Valley Health & Human Service Council (Council) have come together to establish the Valley Community COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to rapidly deploy resources to organizations who support those in the area who are most significantly affected by the pandemic.
The Valley Community COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund will provide flexible resources to organizations throughout the Valley that serve the Valley region, especially to those who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the economic consequences of the outbreak. The Fund is designed to complement the work of federal, state, and municipal government efforts and expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak as efficiently as possible.
This Fund will serve as the repository for donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations with VCF serving as the backbone and fiscal agent. To support the Valley Community COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, visit www.valleyfoundation.org. Gifts via credit card are strongly preferred over checks to reduce processing time. Checks can however be made out to Valley Community Response and Recovery Fund and mailed to 253-A Elizabeth St., Derby, CT 06418.
Sharon Closius, VCF President & CEO, said, “Time after time, we are reminded about the strength and perseverance of the Valley Community. We are all in this together and, by working alongside one another, we can accomplish far more than what we could do individually. While these may be challenging times, there are meaningful opportunities to create impact in flatting the curve of this virus, supporting the organizations that are creating new measures, and assisting those most in need. The Valley Community Response and Recovery Fund was established together with our regional nonprofit leaders so we can effectively, efficiently, and rapidly deploy resources throughout the community and to nonprofits serving the Valley.”
David Kennedy, Interim President and Chief Operating Officer of Valley United Way, added, “Our United Way is pleased to be a part of this collaborative effort to help support the nonprofits in our community that are on the front line and meeting daily to address the challenges of this virus, which is affecting so very many. I’m very confident that this Fund will be a welcome resource for the business community and individuals who have been asking, ‘What can I do to help the local community?’”
Bill Purcell, President of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, said, “Corporate Philanthropy has long been a hallmark of the Valley community, and the Chamber will certainly make our member businesses aware of this new and timely initiative to support those most impacted by this crisis.”
David Morgan, President/CEO of TEAM, Inc. and Valley Council Co-Chair, said, “This is a complicated time, yet it has never been more clear in how well we collectively come together to effectively respond and recover in this region, made possible by the exceptionalism of the Valley Community Foundation, Valley United Way, Valley Chamber, and the Valley Council for Health and Human Services.”
Susan Agamy, Executive Director of Spooner House and Valley Council Co-Chair, said, “We are facing an unprecedented challenge in light of this pandemic, and the Valley community has joined together to respond quickly and effectively to address the needs. The member agencies of Valley Council for Health and Human Services continue to work tirelessly to meet the essential needs of those we serve, including: food, shelter, child care, mental and physical health care, and more. Our partners at Valley Community Foundation, Valley United Way, and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce have stepped up to lead the efforts to ensure that these agencies have the resources required to respond to this crisis and are able to recover once it has passed, maintaining continuity of services to our constituents.”
Through this collaboration, VCF, VUW, GVCC, and the Council, both short- and long-term support will be made as the Valley begins to cope with the results from this pandemic. Together, these community partners aim to provide the necessary efforts to stabilize the Valley in the aftermath of this pandemic.
About The Valley Community Foundation
Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes approximately $1.6 million in grants each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. In addition to grantmaking, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF), to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton and receives funding from The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. For more information, visit www.valleyfoundation.org.