The SouthCoast Community Foundation Emergency Response Fund Awards $1.3 Million to Local Nonprofits

Mar 11, 2021

Eleventh grant round made possible, in part, with funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.

 

New Bedford, MA – The SouthCoast Community Foundation announced it is awarding $1.3 million in grants from its SouthCoast Emergency Response Fund to 20 nonprofits from the Southeastern Massachusetts region. The selected 501(c)3 organizations exhibited a proven track record of supporting immigrant households, regardless of status and serving populations whose economic hardship was exacerbated by COVID-19. The awarded funds, made possible, in part, with funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, will be used to alleviate costs related to basic needs, such as food security, emergency childcare, housing, technology for remote work/school, transportation, and utilities.

“This is our eleventh grant round and the first of several we will be issuing from the Fund in 2021,” said John Vasconcellos, President of SouthCoast Community Foundation. “The Commonwealth’s support of our emergency response along with the generous support from families, individuals, other foundations, and businesses has allowed us to continue to respond as we did from the very start of the pandemic. We are honored to be able to lead such a powerful philanthropic response to this crisis and grateful to the amazing nonprofit partners who, every day, connect the needs of those in our community with the help they deserve.”

Grants ranging from $23,500 to $95,000 are being issued to the following grantees:

  • Attleboro Area Interfaith Collaborative
  • Attleboro YMCA
  • Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc.
  • Brockton Family and Community Resources, Inc.
  • Brockton Interfaith Community
  • Brockton Neighborhood Health Center
  • Catholic Social Services (Fall River)
  • Community Economic Development Center of SE MA (New Bedford)
  • Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores (New Bedford)
  • Citizens for Citizens (Fall River)
  • Health Imperatives, Inc. (Fall River)
  • Hockomock Area YMCA (Attleboro)
  • Immigrants’ Assistance Center (New Bedford)
  • NorthStar Learning Centers (New Bedford)
  • Old Colony YMCA (Brockton)
  • PACE, Inc. (New Bedford)
  • The Literacy Center (Attleboro)
  • United Way of Greater Fall River
  • United Way of Greater New Bedford
  • YMCA Southcoast (New Bedford)

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of the SouthCoast Community Foundation,” said Vinnie Marturano, President & CEO of Old Colony YMCA. “The pandemic has been especially difficult for immigrant families in our community, and these funds will have a major impact on our ability to help the children and families most in need. Food insecurity and access to safe, quality childcare services are two of the most pressing issues we see every day, and we appreciate the Foundation’s investment in this work.”

The SouthCoast Community Foundation established the SouthCoast Emergency Response Fund in partnership with local funders in March of 2020. The Fund provides flexible resources to organizations that work with those most impacted by COVID19. To date, the organization has raised $8.3 million and granted $6.8 million to 132 nonprofits. Donations to the SouthCoast Emergency Fund can be made online. For general inquiries about the Fund, please contact emergencyfund@southcoastcf.org.

The Foundation is a public charity serving thousands of people throughout Southeastern Massachusetts who share a common goal of improving the quality of life through philanthropy.  Since 1995, the Community Foundation has distributed $50 million from approximately 200 funds to humanitarian, educational, and cultural organizations in the region. To learn more about the Community Foundation, visit www.southcoastcf.org.

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Pictured: Old Colony YMCA employee, Seaqwan, delivering food as part of their Grocery Distribution Program.

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