$1Million Pledged by Midland Area Community Foundation in COVID-19 Response
March 24th, 2020
The Midland Area Community Foundation (MACF) is engaging in a multi-pronged, collaborative approach, with the ability for community contributions to provide relief to nonprofits, individuals, and small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the establishment of two funds; The COVID-19 Response Fund and The COVID-19 Impact Investing Fund. MACF is investing a total of $1 million in these response efforts.
“The Midland Area Community Foundation is grateful to be in a position to work with community partners in providing meaningful, quick responses to this unprecedented situation,” said Duncan Stuart, Chair of the Midland Area Community Foundation Board of Trustees. “The collaborative work being completed through these two newly-established funds embodies the mission of the MACF. We are focused right now on speed of help into the Community while larger responses are being mobilized.”
MACF is placing $500,000 in the COVID-19 Response Fund. Of this, $250,000 will be used for nonprofit support and $250,000 will be used for individual assistance. Grants for nonprofits will be dispersed with intended use for operations, supplies, and client assistance. Grant prioritization will be to agencies providing services for vulnerable populations most impacted by the pandemic. The MACF will work collaboratively with United Way of Midland County to evaluate grant requests.
“Midland Area Community Foundation is working in tandem with United Way of Midland County to ensure the proper allocation of these nonprofit grant funds,” said Sharon Mortensen, President & CEO of the Midland Area Community Foundation. “We believe that by working collaboratively with an established partner like United Way of Midland County, we will be able to maximize community impact.”
Individual assistance will be administered working jointly with The Salvation Army of Midland County and Greater Midland Community Centers. The individual assistance is designed to assist those whose livelihood has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. MACF has purchased 500 separate $500 prepaid debit cards which were provided by Isabella Bank without any fees. Grant requests will be processed by Salvation Army and Greater Midland Community Centers. Applications will be funneled through an online form at midlandfoundation.org/apply and drive-up distribution will take place at Midland Community Center during specific hours.
MACF approved placing $250,000 in a 0% business loan fund called the COVID-19 Impact Investing Fund. Small businesses impacted by COVID-19 will have the opportunity to apply for loans up to $5,000 to assist with COVID-19 relief. MACF will work closely with the Midland Business Alliance on the loan review and approval process. If you’re a small business looking to apply for this loan visit midlandfoundation.org/apply.
“The Midland Area Community Foundation believes in enriching and improving the quality of life in Midland County,” said Mortensen. “We have an opportunity to impact businesses and individuals who make up the heart and soul of the Midland community.”
A total match of up to $250,000 will be provided to contributions to either the COVID-19 Response Fund or COVID-19 Impact Investing Fund. Opportunities to give can be found at midlandfoundation.org/give. Use the drop-down menu to select either fund and if you’re giving to the COVID-19 Response Fund and desire your funds to be allocated to either the individual or nonprofit relief grant, specify your preference in the notes section.
The mission of the Midland Area Community Foundation is to provide philanthropic leadership to strengthen our community by fostering collaboration and giving today and in the future.
To learn more about the COVID-19 response being enacted by the Midland Area Community Foundation, visit midlandfoundation.org, or you can contact the Foundation at 989-839-9661 or info@midlandfoundation.org.
