WC Iowa News

The Fayette County Community Foundation has taken steps to offset some of the financial strain placed on the local community by the COVID-19 crisis.

The Fayette County COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund is meant to assist nonprofits that are responding to the needs of residents affected by the crisis.

“The establishment of this fund gives both the Community Foundation and the public an opportunity to support the local nonprofits serving Fayette County communities and residents,” said Vicki Rowland, chair of the Fayette County Community Foundation Governing Committee.

By providing funding to the nonprofits, the new response fund is expected to lessen the burden on families and individuals who have been hit hard by either the COVID-19 infection or the economic crisis created by the response to the pandemic.

The foundation plans to make grants from the fund on a rolling basis, so that money can be distributed even as it is raised. The expectation is that this will also make it possible for the grants to be distributed in a fashion that matches evolving needs.

The foundation intends for the fund to make it possible for people in the local community to donate while knowing the money will be used toward immediate goals in their own community.

Donations can be made on the foundation’s website at cfneia.org/fayettecovidfund by clicking “Give Today.” Donations can also be made by mail by sending checks to Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, 3117 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls, IA 50613.

Those seeking information during the current crisis can contact United Way’s 211 service at 1-866-469-2211 or by navigating to 211.iowa.org. The United Way 211 service is a free, confidential referral service that is meant to help connect community members with resources that are relevant to their needs.

Additional information about the foundation’s COVID-19 response in Fayette County can be found at www.cfneia.org or by calling 319-287-9106.