BROOKINGS – A new fund has been jointly created to support the provision of basic needs services to local nonprofit organizations and area residents in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Brookings COVID-19 Relief Fund is a collaborative effort of the Brookings Foundation and the Brookings Area United Way.
A joint news release from the two agencies advised: “Grants will be allocated on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the cycle of this outbreak and the recovery phases, making it possible to move resources quickly and to be able to adjust to the evolving needs going forward.
“In this uncertain time, many will need to lean on the local community organizations that have always been there. But the reality is that under the circumstances, many of those nonprofit agencies themselves will face financial disruption that can leave them unable to meet the needs of the communities they have long cared for.”
Heidi Gullickson, Brookings Area United Way executive director, explained that the funds collected would be above and beyond what the United Way brings in during its annual fundraising campaign.
“The funds from last year’s campaign have all been allocated out,” she said. “They all applied for them and those grants have been awarded. But we know that there are going to be non-profits that are going to see a huge increase in the need for their services.”
Gullickson added that teaming up with the Brookings Foundation allows for a “more flexible process” for the allocation of funds raised.
Joint advisory committee
“It’s so unknown what needs are going to come up,” the director noted. “We do know that our food insecurity programs have already seen an increase in clients. We expect the next wave to be for help with utilities. It’s just so unknown as how long this will last and how many people will be impacted.
“Being able to partner with the community Foundation allows us to really be able to see what those needs are and be able to take care of them as they come.
“When things happen like this, people want to help and it’s not always an easy way to see how to help. We thought that having one fund in the community to help non-profits and individuals would make for an easier way to help.
“We at the United Way have seen people raising their hand and asking, ‘How can I help?’ That’s been a wonderful thing to see during these somewhat uncertain times.”
“It’s a joint effort to get the funds,” Brookings Foundation Director Kurt Osborne said. “And it will also be a joint effort in terms of making decisions and planning to their need.”
Three representatives from each organization will form a joint advisory committee.
“We have a number of component funds that have been established by individuals and organizations and they’re customized to meet a particular charitable goal,” Osborne added. “We want to address the needs through existing United Way services and programs initially. “And then we don’t know if there is going to be a certain amount of needs that extend beyond the capacity of any existing organizations; but if there is that’s a place we could step in and be helpful as well.”
He said that two gifts have been received that will get the fund up and running: First Bank & Trust has pledged to match other donations, up to a total of $25,000; and the Larson Foundation has pledged to match other donations up to a total of $20,000.
Donations can be made on the websites of both organizations: brookingsfoundation.org or brookingsunitedway.org. Donations may be mailed to: Brookings COVID-19 Relief Fund, First Bank & Trust, Attn: Jeff Lee, P.O. Box 505, Brookings SD 57006.
Information about COVID-19 changes to nonprofit services; how to request help; and how to volunteer can be found at brookingsunitedway.org/covid-19.
Contact John Kubal at jkubal@brookingsregister.com.
