The funding, announced May 28, provides $8.18 million to 65 nonprofits throughout the region. Meals on Wheels Montgomery County received $200,000, and Mission Northeast received $35,000 of the total investment, which the recovery fund said is aimed at Greater Houston's most vulnerable residents.
“Our approach to the grant-making process continues to be data driven, which allows us to identify the most pressing needs as the pandemic evolves,” said Stephen Maislin, the president and CEO of the relief fund's sponsor, the Greater Houston Community Foundation, in a statement. “We can make the greatest impact with the funds entrusted to us by identifying and supporting the significant number of families in the Greater Houston region that are disproportionately impacted and in critical need.”
Through the fund, a partnership between the community foundation and United Way of Greater Houston, $10.49 million for COVID-19 relief has been distributed to nonprofits in Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery and Waller counties since March.
The first round of funding included $1.55 million for 30 organizations April 15, followed by a $764,600 stopgap investment for four organizations May 7 and the second full round May 28. Funding is determined by the community foundation and United Way boards of directors, with 100% of donations made to the relief fund set for investment in regional nonprofits.
“The economic effect of COVID-19 has imperiled our region’s most vulnerable neighbors, especially those who are unable to access public benefits,” said Anna M. Babin, a senior adviser for United Way, in a statement. “Because of this unprecedented need, funding requests from agencies who submitted proposals for these grants were more than double the available funds. It’s clear that no one fund or organization can answer needs of this magnitude –it takes public and private sectors working together and it is ongoing. We applaud the great work everyone is doing across our community and those who have generously donated funds and time to support it.”
Other local organizations that have received funding through the initiative include the Community Assistance Center, Interfaith of The Woodlands, Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries and the Montgomery County Food Bank. The full list of grantees may be viewed here.
For more information, or to donate to the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund, visit www.greaterhoustonrecovery.org or text “WEHELP” to 41444.
