Community Foundation Launches Lowcountry Community COVID-19 Response Fund

As many of our neighbors struggle with hardships and consequences caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry has responded by creating the Lowcountry Community COVID-19 Response Fund. The fund will rapidly deploy resources to community-based, frontline nonprofit organizations addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton and Colleton Counties.

“We realized that some populations in our area, especially those individuals who work in food and beverage, hospitality or for small businesses, will be disproportionately impacted, primarily from the economic consequences of this outbreak,” says Chris Kerrigan, president and CEO of Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. “This will provide funding to local nonprofits which are addressing those populations’ immediate needs.”

To support this effort, the Community Foundation will match up to $100,000 given to the fund.

The Community Foundation plans to fund organizations in phases. The first phase will support health and human services nonprofits with deep roots in our four county service area and strong experience working with residents without access to healthcare, or who are food or housing insecure. This phase will focus on increasing resiliency in affected populations by addressing the economic impact of reduced and lost work due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the economically vulnerable populations caused by

COVID-19-related closures. Qualified nonprofit organizations will include organizations that are helping

individuals and families meet basic needs, including food, housing and healthcare.

This isn’t the first time the Community Foundation has served as a resource to the region in times of crisis. The Disaster Recovery and Rebuilding Fund was established by the Community Foundation in 2004 to support response, recovery and rebuilding efforts during officially-declared disasters. After Hurricane Matthew, the Foundation awarded more than $220,000 in grants to nonprofits helping individuals get back on their feet.

“We have experience working with nonprofits, during times of crisis and during times of calm,” Kerrigan explains. “We know the Lowcountry, we know local nonprofits and we know the generosity of our local donors. This is an amazing region with a lot of heart,” he says. “People will step up to help those who are hurting.”

If you’re looking for a way to help your neighbors who will be adversely affected by COVID-19 and you would like to donate to the Lowcountry Community COVID-19 Response Fund, you can make a tax-deductible gift online by visiting the Community Foundation’s website giving page at https://cflowcountry.civicore.com/covid, or you can send your check* to:

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

P.O. Box 23019

Hilton Head Island, SC 29925

*On your check, please indicate COVID-19 in the memo line.

Kerrigan assures donors that 100% of all contributions to the fund will go directly to support the fund’s mission. For more information, visit our website at cf-lowcountry.org or call our office at 843.681.9100.