Fox Valley Grantmakers COVID-19 Response Fund awards thousands to local nonprofits

The Fox Valley Grantmakers COVID-19 Response Fund has awarded $595,480 in rapid response grants to 50 nonprofits serving residents in the greater Fox Valley region, according to a news release.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, five Fox Valley community organizations – the Aurora Women's Empowerment Foundation (AWEF), Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley (CFFRV), Dunham Fund (DF), Fox Valley United Way (FVUW) and INC Board – joined forces in March to form the Fox Valley Grantmakers COVID-19 Response Fund, the release stated.

The coalition's mission was to award rapid grants to greater Fox Valley nonprofits that support basic human needs such as food, shelter, safety, health and mental health, and have demonstrated sudden and significant need, the release stated. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, priority was given to funding local organizations that support basic human needs such as food, shelter, safety, health and mental health. The average grant amount was $11,909.

Some of the 50 nonprofit organizations that received grants included CASA Kane County, Elderday Center, Fox Valley Older Adults Services, Hesed House, Lazarus House, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Salvation Army Tri-City Corps, Mutual Ground, World Relief DuPage/Aurora and many more.