NoCo COVID-19 Response Fund

The Northern Colorado COVID-19 Response Fund – a partnership between the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado and United Way of Larimer County – raised over $1.27 million to respond to the impacts of the pandemic. These funds were used for 82 grants benefitting 61 nonprofits during 2020.

Together we launched this short video to recognize our generous donors and honor the work of nonprofits in our community.

Thank you for stepping up where you could and making sure that we take care of each other during this great time of need.

NORTHERN COLORADO COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND

In March 2020, the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado and the United Way of Larimer County partnered to establish the Northern Colorado COVID-19 Response Fund. As with other disaster response initiatives, the objective was to provide leadership and collaborative funding to support those who face the greatest need.

The coronavirus stunned the world and took its toll on every individual and organization, including our community’s nonprofits. To help respond to this unprecedented challenge, this effort provided funding to local nonprofit organizations that work with people disproportionately affected by the consequences of COVID-19. Initially, these recipients included human service organizations that address food insecurity, especially for youth and older adults, and then later included public health infrastructure, technology training or technical assistance, and mental health services.

The Community Foundation and United Way of Larimer County administered grants from the COVID-19 Fund with the assistance of community volunteers who sat on the grant selection committee. Grants were distributed to nonprofit organizations throughout Larimer County through the initial six months of the crisis. The goal was to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs.

Report on funding received

If a final report is required, the grant award letter sent to your organization with the check will provide details regarding timing and submission. All reports should be submitted electronically using the online Report Form.

Northern Colorado COVID-19 Fund Announces Fourth Round of Grants

September 23, 2020

A Little Help | Larimer County | $20,000
To meet an increased need for immediate at-home grocery and medication delivery for older, at-risk adults by onboarding over 100 new volunteers and educating them on proper safety precautions.

Crossroads Ministry Estes | Estes Park, Glen Haven, Drake, Pinewood Springs, Allenspark, and surrounding unincorporated areas of Larimer County | $20,000
To help an anticipated additional 160 individuals and families with rent assistance as unemployment rates continue to rise due to COVID-19.

Foothills Rotary | Fort Collins | $40,000
To match dollars raised by Foothills Rotary to support La Familia and Teaching Tree with childcare fees.

Loveland Rotary | Loveland | $4,000
To increase the weekly food bag count and provide a bridge of support to food insecure students in the Thompson School District.

Respite Care |Larimer County| $15,000
To provide short term, quality care for children for children from birth to age 21 who have been diagnosed with one or more developmental disabilities, giving respite to their families.

Salud Family Health Centers |Larimer County| $25,000
To equip triage centers for patients experiencing COVID-19 symptoms with necessary personal protective equipment, as well as offer telehealth options, to allow patients to continue to get the care they need as safely as possible during this time.

Thompson School District |Loveland| $20,000
To purchase 830 G Suite Enterprise for Education licenses to develop plans and materials for distance learning platforms.

The Warehouse |Larimer County| $20,000
To manufacture and deliver safe, effective personal protective equipment (PPE) at no cost to nonprofits who are serving vulnerable populations through the Manufacturers COVID Designated Fund.

Be the Gift |Larimer County| $20,000
To provide home repair assistance at no charge to single-mother homeowners and their children who struggle to pay for necessities (food, clothing, childcare, healthcare, transportation, etc.) making home repairs cost prohibitive.

Vindeket Foods |Larimer County| $20,000
To mobilize rescued foods from local grocers and charitably distribute them to students, individuals, families, and other nonprofits. Vindeket addresses food waste by educating and organizing our community around the waste issues in our food system.

United Way of Larimer County |Larimer County| $30,000
To provide funding to support a community-based grant writer for nonprofits.

Friends of the Loveland Public Library Foundation | Loveland | $25,000
To support a technology project to increase access to laptop computers and classes during COVID-19.

Boys and Girls Club of Larimer County | Larimer County | $12,500
To provide full-day school-age childcare in school sites across the county for parents who have to work while school is not in session.

Northern Colorado COVID-19 Fund Announces Third Round of Grants

May 26, 2020

Alternatives to Violence | Larimer County | $14,000
To continue to compensate staff who can work overtime to offer additional crisis services, as well as increase advertisements to reach potential clients in different ways as safer-at-home orders impact traditional advertising.

America’s Kid’s Belong | Larimer County | $24,000
To provide emergency needs to an additional 40 youth as a result of COVID-19 including food, medicine, toiletries, and shelter, as well as allow the potential for a newly created position to help maintain the 160% service increase.

Boys & Girls Club of Larimer County | Larimer County | $20,000
To support summer programs at 12 Larimer County sites serving approximately 600 youth a day by adjusting to meet health and safety requirements including increased space, additional custodial staff, and increased time along with supplies for sanitation.

Break Free Inc. dba Free Our Girls | Larimer County | $5,000
To support victims of sex trade and sex trafficking through mental health and communication support as mainstream pandemic relief efforts are not anticipated to reach them, but violence and abuse are anticipated to increase.

Catholic Charities | Larimer County | $25,000
To provide grocery delivery services including food, paper and household goods, cleaning supplies, and other essentials to low-income and vulnerable seniors who have not able to leave their homes due to increased health concerns connected to COVID-19.

CASA of Larimer County | Larimer County | $10,000
To allow the continuation of the no-contact, virtual parent-child visitation program through the Supervised Exchange and Parenting Time at no cost to families through at least the end of June, in place of the typical in-person, parental visitation program.

ChildSafe | Larimer County | $5,000
To continue to provide resources to clients during social distancing through a tele-therapy model requiring additional technology, protocols, and increased staff time.

Crossroads Ministry of Estes | Estes Park, Glen Haven, Drake, Pinewood Springs, Allenspark, and surrounding unincorporated areas of Larimer County | $20,000
To help an anticipated additional 160 individuals and families with rent assistance as unemployment rates continue to rise due to COVID-19.

Crossroads Safehouse | Fort Collins | $14,000
To provide financial, rental, and housing-search assistance to victims of domestic violence who are exiting shelters and in search of private housing as domestic violence and abuse cases continue to rise affecting largely low- or no-income individuals.

Early Childhood Council of Larimer County | Larimer County | $25,000
To support childcare programs with mini grants to cover necessary operational costs as they remain open to support front line and necessary employees continuing to work during the pandemic.

Ensight Skills Center | Larimer County | $5,000
To support technological infrastructure that allows patients to tele-commute for virtual meetings and to access other important resources, especially those that are now homebound with additional health concerns.

The Family Center/La Familia | Larimer County | $10,000
To grow their financial support program to include virtual programming and access to services through mobile technology.

Finally Home | Larimer County | $9,225
To support kinship families (grandparents/other family members raising related children) who are now home with children full time, navigating working from home and financial insecurity through online support family sessions.

FoCo Café | Larimer County | $25,000
To provide food to vulnerable populations in the city of Fort Collins, working with other nonprofits in the area to specifically target those who are not already receiving meal delivery services provided by other organizations.

Foster and Adoptive Families | Larimer County | $3,500
To provide food through a pickup site offered every other month to families with foster children, kinship households, guardianship, and adoptive children.

Grand Family Coalition | Larimer County | $8,000
To provide elderly, at-risk caregivers with gift cards to stores where they can purchase basic needs for their families online without risking exposure.

Good Samaritan Society, Fort Collins Village | Larimer County | $25,000
To ensure proper health and safety of staff and residents by allowing for increased personal protective equipment purchases and cleaning supplies, as well as implement a “resident concierge” service that allows for a full day of community communication and programming in a safe way.

Homeward Alliance | Larimer County | $20,000
To provide approximately 300 meals a day, seven-days-a week to those accessing services at the temporary congregate emergency shelter at the Aztlan Center through the end of the lease term.

House of Neighborly Service | South Larimer County | $25,000
To provide utility bill assistance to those effected by poverty and situational crisis in the Thompson School District prior to the prospective June 1 shut off date.

Light of the Rockies Christian Counseling | Larimer County | $10,000
To continue to provide tele-therapy “coping sessions” for those facing anxiety, emotional stress, or depression as a result of the pandemic, as well as longer counseling sessions for healthcare professionals and first responders through the new Light of the Rockies COVID-19 Mental Health Access Scholarship Fund.

McKee Wellness Foundation | Larimer County | $25,000
To support front line medical staff at McKee Medical Center and Banner Fort Collins with quality childcare while they are serving the community during the pandemic.

The Nappie Project | Larimer County | $14,150
To support the purchase of additional diapers, supplies and inventory for the new Nappie Cloth Care Kits, protective equipment for staff and volunteers, and increased storage space as the ongoing diaper shortage continues.

Neighbor to Neighbor | Larimer County | $15,000
To provide clients with eviction prevention assistance and direct assistance with emergency needs such as food, cleaning, and household supplies in order to continue to provide stable housing in financial hardship.

Outreach Fort Collins | Larimer County | $10,000
To expand services throughout the city of Fort Collins, expecting to serve an addition 75-100 individuals in homeless and at-risk populations with the closing of the Aztlan Community Center congregate shelter.

Royal Family KIDS Larimer County c/o Timberline Church | Larimer County | $7,200
To help host a virtual camp in place of an in-person experience for 46 children that provides each child with a tablet, pre-loaded with videos that mimic camp programming.

Salud Family Health Center | Larimer County | $11,000
To equip triage centers for patients experiencing COVID-19 symptoms with necessary personal protective equipment, as well as offer telehealth options, to allow patients to continue to get the care they need as safely as possible during this time.

Salvation Army of Fort Collins | Larimer County | $7,000
To serve an increase in families and individuals reaching out for rent assistance due to emergency financial situation through the eviction prevention program.

Serve 6.8 | Fort Collins, Windsor, Greeley, Loveland, Wellington, Carr | $25,000
To provide food-distribution services, virtual finance care, rental payments, and other needs for approximately 700 families of those who are homebound during this time due to age or auto-immune issues.

Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center | Larimer County | $20,000
To provide childcare scholarships for low-income families (and families who have lost jobs) and help cover tuition loss and enable Teaching Tree to recover to full capacity over the coming months.

Warehouse Business Accelerator | Larimer County | $25,000
To deliver safe, effective personal protective equipment at no cost to essential, non-medical human service providers who are serving vulnerable populations through the Manufacturers COVID Designated Fund.

Young Life Northern Colorado | Larimer County | $4,800
To continue to provide support and care for 12 teen mothers by providing basic needs including food and baby supplies to be dropped off at their places of residence.

Northern Colorado COVID-19 Fund Announces Second Round of Grants

April 20, 2020 — Pandemic response initiative makes impact with $335k in new funding; total surpasses $530,000.

Download the press release.

Grants are reviewed by a committee comprised of volunteers from Estes Park, Loveland, and Fort Collins – as well as staff members from the United Way and the Community Foundation.

“This knowledgeable committee thoughtfully evaluates each grant application, and provides valuable insight, advice, and direction,” said Claire Bouchard, vice president of community impact for United Way of Larimer County. “We are so fortunate to have volunteers who are willing to dedicate a significant portion of their stay-at-home time to us.”

The committee also vetted the requests to ensure vulnerable populations are not only receiving services, but that these service providers are utilizing their expertise and leadership to effectively respond to new challenges. It most often awarded grants that make an immediate difference in our community, especially supporting people who are faced with food insecurity, childcare needs, housing, or other disruptions caused by the pandemic.

“Every day brings new opportunities and challenges,” stated Ella Fahrlander, chief engagement officer for the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado. “Individuals, nonprofits, government, and the private sector are stepping forward to deliver dollars, services, and supplies to those in need.”

Round two funding recipient organizations:

A Little Help | Larimer County | $25,000
To meet increased need for immediate at-home grocery and medication delivery for older, at-risk adults by onboarding over 100 new volunteers and educating them on proper safety precautions.

Alternatives to Violence | Loveland | $15,136
To maintain necessary staffing that provides 24/7 crisis response and support to victims of violent crimes, one of the only no-cost shelter resources that provides food and safety around the clock.

America’s Kid’s Belong | Larimer County | $8,000
To provide critical supplies and tools for young adults aging out of foster care, including emergency needs, assistance with crisis educational intervention, and help finding or maintaining jobs in the current climate.

Citipointe Northern Colorado Church | Loveland | $10,000
To provide access to 200 free, ready-to-eat hot meals, three-days a week, in partnership with Betta Gumbo Cares, for those who are considered most vulnerable to the virus and unable to leave their homes to pick up food.

Community DREAMer Fund | Larimer County | $11,000
To support DACAmented, undocumented, and asylum-seeking high school and college students (who are ineligible for federal pandemic assistance) with financial support to help them continue to achieve their academic goals.

Estes Park Health Foundation | Estes Valley | $25,000
To elevate safety of the in-patient ward through installing negative-pressure systems that will help ensure that air from a COVID-19 patient’s room will not travel throughout the rest of the facility.

Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success | Estes Valley | $20,000
To provide no-cost or low-cost childcare to essential employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, financial support for low income families with young children, and recovery support for childcare providers as a result of changing standards due to the virus.

Family Housing Network of Fort Collins, Inc. | Fort Collins | $5,200
To increase safety protocols of facilities to support sheltering families, as well as an increase population of singles, and provide much-needed financial support.

Fort Collins Rescue Mission | Larimer County | $15,000
To expand the number of nutritious meals offered to a rapidly increasing guest rate as well as making necessary adjustments to the shelter system to accommodate extra safety precautions.

Front Range Community College Foundation | Larimer County | $15,000
To support the most financially vulnerable and at-risk students with rent/housing, technology, groceries, bills, medical expenses, and childcare through Emergency Student Success Grants.

Homeward Alliance | Larimer County | $25,000
To provide stable housing and eviction protection to individuals experiencing homelessness or who have escaped homelessness in the last two years, along with case management for newly housed families that are now at risk for homelessness especially due to disability and age-related factors.

La Cocina | Larimer County | $10,000
To support behavioral health services for the Northern Colorado Latinx community addressing child and partner abuse during this stay at home mandate by providing wrap-around case management through online resources.

Light of the Rockies Christian Counseling | Larimer County | $18,305
To provide tele-therapy “coping sessions” for those facing anxiety, emotional stress, or depression as a result of the pandemic, as longer counseling sessions for healthcare professionals and first responders through the new Light of the Rockies COVID-19 Mental Health Access Scholarship Fund.

NOCO Dream Center dba Resurrection Fellowship | Larimer County | $8,421
To expand beyond the distribution of household goods, foods, and other basic needs into one-time rental assistance to an increasing client base who are financially vulnerable.

Project Self-Sufficiency of Loveland-Fort Collins | Larimer County | $10,000
To address new and immediate needs of families enrolled in the Healthy Families Program, including emergency assistance with housing, transportation, mental health, childcare, and other living expenses that may be impacted due to the pandemic.

SAFY of CO | Larimer County | $7,940
To provide trauma-informed services to support emotional well-being and safety of children in foster care and families receiving family preservation services as the effects of trauma are escalated during times of crisis.

The Salvation Army of Loveland | Larimer County | $9,600
To provide emergency, non-congregate shelter for the medically fragile homeless at hotels in the area for up to 140 days with access to health care services, food, and transportation.

Serve 6.8 | Fort Collins, Windsor, Greeley, Loveland, Wellington, Carr | $25,000
To provide food-distribution services, virtual finance care, rental payments, and other needs for approximately 700 families of those who are homebound during this time due to age or auto-immune issues.

Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center | Larimer County | $14,000
To enable the continuation of therapy services through the implementation of HIPPA compliance tele-health systems, staffing support, and hotline conversion costs associated with offering medical help virtually for victims of sexual assault.

Sunrise Community Health | Larimer County | $12,500
To increase access to COVID-19 screening for uninsured, underinsured, and low-income patients by screening and testing patients, purchasing viral media, swabs, alcohol, and appropriate PPE, as well as other necessary supplies for the separate respiratory clinic site.

Live the Victory, INC dba The Matthews House | Larimer County | $15,688
To shift case management services and programs to telephone and online platforms and increase staff capacity to continue to provide critical support for low-income youth and families in the Larimer County welfare and juvenile justice system.

Turning Point Center for Youth and Family Development | Larimer County | $13,707
To support increased staffing and therapist hours to provide for an increasing number of referrals as well as support with basic family needs and crisis intervention work allowing clients with mental health issues to access services for free, even if they have lost their health insurance.

YMCA of the Rockies | Estes Valley | $15,000
To provide emergency childcare to healthcare workers, first responders, and essential workers in the Estes Valley and providing scholarships to any family who is unable to pay due to unemployment or underemployment during this time.

Northern Colorado COVID-19 Fund Announces First Round of Grants

March 31, 2020 — Northern Colorado COVID-19 Response Fund announces a grant distribution of $200,125 to 15 human service groups. These groups are active across Larimer County, including Allenspark, Berthoud, Drake, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Glen Haven, Loveland, Wellington, and unincorporated areas of the county.

Due to the novel nature of the coronavirus — and the unprecedented measures being taken by state and local governments regarding health and safety — nonprofits are experiencing a dramatic increase in volumes of need. Every grant distributed went to nonprofits seeking funding for both new and current needs, that have arisen as a direct response to COVID-19. Our grant review committee has vetted the requests to ensure vulnerable populations are not only receiving services, but that these services that are being creative in responding to new challenges created by COVID-19.

Round one funding recipient organizations:

Aspire 3D | Loveland | $12,000
To maintain stable housing, financial security, food security, medical care, hygiene products and a newly created “check-in” system for elderly adults and at-risk individuals.

Boys and Girls Club of Larimer County | Larimer County | $15,000
To use the resources of the Boys and Girls Club to provide accessible, sustainable, school-aged childcare for first responders and health care workers using emergency childcare centers.

Crossroads Ministry of Estes | Western Areas of Larimer County | $20,000
To meet the new and changing needs of public and human services including food assistance, housing, transportation, and case management as well as other emergency needs.

Crossroads SafeHouse | Fort Collins | $10,000
To provide emergency shelter, food, clothing, and necessities for victims of domestic violence and their children by providing a safe and healthy space.

The Family Center/La Familia | Fort Collins | $10,000
To assist with direct financial support and housing stabilization for approximately 20 families as a stop-gap measure to prevent housing loss during economic hardship.

Food Bank of Larimer County | Larimer County | $25,000
To meet the increased food needs for current and new clients through the Fresh Food Share program that has converted to a drive-up food pantry model.

Genesis Project of Fort Collins | Fort Collins | $9,000
To provide sack lunches and rental assistance to over 70 residents living in the ParkLane Mobile Home Park, many of whom are youth, elderly, and ineligible for other forms of assistance.

Homeward Alliance | Larimer County | $25,000
To provide onsite food, shelter, and services to those experiencing homelessness, offering social distancing in a safe environment at the newly established hub at the Northside Aztlan Center in Fort Collins.

House of Neighborly Service | Loveland and Berthoud | $9,500
To acquire food, toiletries, and grocery gift cards for creating food baskets that can be accessed twice a month during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Loveland Rotary Club Foundation KidsPak | Loveland | $8,375
To increase the weekly food bag count and provide a bridge of support to food insecure students in the Thompson School District.

Meals on Wheels Fort Collins | Fort Collins | $14,000
To subsidize costs of meals to senior citizens, preparing alternative meal options to meet emergency needs, as well as connecting volunteers with home-bound seniors and disabled adults through phone communications and video chats.

Neighbor to Neighbor | Larimer County | $10,000
To provide emergency rental assistance as well as implement an online software component to ease client access and qualifies the organization for additional funding and government assistance.

The Nappie Project | Larimer County | $10,000
To distribute two shipments of 30,000 diapers to various organizations, that in turn, distribute these directly to families in need.

Salud Family Health Centers | Larimer County | $15,000
To enable Salud to actively change healthcare delivery models (with patient safety in mind) including implementing a triage protocol outside of clinics for those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

UCHealth N. Colorado Foundation | Fort Collins | $7,250
To provide food for food-insecure individuals over a two-month period who often pair their medical visit with a stop at the connected food pantry.

Thank you for your support:

(as of 11/18/20)

We also want to thank donors who have supported the fund by donating to the United Way of Larimer County. Click here to see the donor list.