Purpose

The activation of Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund is designed to provide  resources to nonprofit organizations in Northeast Florida working to meet unmet critical needs of residents who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the economic consequences of this outbreak.

Priorities

Critical needs are rapidly emerging, and will continue to evolve. The Relief Fund will provide flexible resources to nonprofits in our region responding to urgent needs resulting from COVID-19 disruption that are not being met by other funding sources. At this time the First Coast Relief Fund focus areas will include:

• Food assistance, non-food items and supplies for agency and low-income individuals and families who are food insecure due to job losses, school closings, etc.
• Short term housing assistance to support shelters to safely distance residents and prevent the spread of COVID-19
• Financial assistance for individuals and families impacted by the crisis to help meet their basic household needs
• Childcare support for first responders and other front-line staff working to prevent the spread of the virus
• Medical, safety supplies, and equipment for community-based service providers as they carry out essential community services
• Technology support for nonprofits to enable remote work and continued delivery of services

Eligibility

Only private, nonprofit entities recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt under 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) and to which contributions are tax deductible pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 170(c)(2) can apply to receive funding. Each applicant’s 501(c)(3) status will be verified with the IRS.

Grants will be made to nonprofit organizations in Duval, Clay, Baker, St. Johns, Nassau and Putnam counties who are providing essential human services for those disproportionately affected by corona virus.

Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund will NOT:

• Provide resources to community needs that are already covered or being funded by government programs or other available funding.
• Award grants directly to individuals.

Application Process

Interested organizations can apply to Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund below. Organizations will be asked to fill out a preliminary questionnaire to determine whether or not they are eligible to apply for funds. Those who are determined as eligible to apply will be invited forward to complete an application for funding

Timeline

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and will be evaluated weekly by a committee comprised of representatives of United Way of Northeast Florida, United Way of St. Johns County, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida. Please note: applications received by noon each Wednesday will be reviewed for funding consideration the upcoming Friday.

Organizations may only submit one application for consideration.  Due to the ever-changing nature of this crisis, agencies will be able to apply more than once as funding is available. However, the re-applying agency must have completed the required grant report for their previous funding before becoming eligible to apply again.

Questions

For questions regarding Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund, contact Elizabeth Lufrano, community impact manager, at fcrf@nulluwnefl.org.