Media release shared from:
Community Foundation of Snohomish County
2823 Rockefeller Ave.
Everett, WA 98201
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2020
Media Contact:
Karri Matau, President & CEO
425.212.4056
karri@cf-sc.org
Cross-Sector Partners Launch $250,000 Coronavirus Response Fund
(Everett, WA) -- A cross-sector partnership of local philanthropy, government, and business have joined together to create a Response Fund that will rapidly deploy resources to the frontlines of the novel coronavirus outbreak in Snohomish County.
Premera Blue Cross has donated $100,000 and BECU has donated $75,000 to this effort with additional funds from the Community Foundation of Snohomish County and United Way of Snohomish County for a total of $250,000 to launch the Coronavirus Response Fund.
“We’re committed the collective action it will take with our many partners here in Snohomish County and throughout the state to help us all manage this health emergency,” said Premera President and CEO Jeff Roe.
The Coronavirus Response Fund will provide flexible resources to organizations in our region working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the economic consequences of this outbreak. The fund will be hosted by the Community Foundation of Snohomish County and is designed to complement the work of public health officials and expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak as efficiently as possible.
“As the number of cases of coronavirus in our state continues to rise, it is important that, as a community, we have a coordinated response to best meet quickly evolving needs,” said Karri Matau, President & CEO of Community Foundation of Snohomish County. “We are hopeful that other foundations, businesses, and individuals will join this united effort,” she added.
The fund will administer grants in consultation with Snohomish County, Snohomish Health District and United Way of Snohomish County.
“This is a health crisis that requires immediate response, but we will also have long-lasting ripple effects of social and economic impacts. Loss of wages, access to food and supplies for already vulnerable populations, and childcare, just to name a few. This fund and partnership will help to meet immediate basic needs as well as reduce those unintended consequences,” said Allison Warren-Barbour, President & CEO of United Way of Snohomish County.
Funds will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs in subsequent funding phases.
"As the Snohomish Health District continues to work toward slowing the spread of illness, these dollars will be critical to supporting those impacted by containment interventions and community mitigation measures," said Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer of the Snohomish Health District
To make a donation to the Coronavirus Response Fund, visit the Community Foundation of Snohomish County website at www.cf-sc.org. 100% of all donations will go directly to identified programs and service.
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The Community Foundation seeks to be a catalyst for change in Snohomish County. We promote charitable giving and strive to create community
impact through our grantmaking. To learn more, visit www.cf-sc.org