Supporting Our Communities Amidst COVID-19

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

We hope this message finds you well, safe, and healthy during this time of uncertainty. We know you’re likely monitoring the news for the latest information on COVID-19 and the threat it poses to communities in the U.S. and across the globe. While the situation is rapidly evolving, we know many of you are wondering how to help during this time of great need. Drawing from our conversations with key experts and community leaders, we have compiled this initial list of recommendations for your philanthropy. We’ll continue to update these recommendations in the coming weeks as additional needs and opportunities emerge, especially given the rapid developments around COVID-19 that will surely have broad and long-term impacts on our communities. 

To support immediate response efforts, consider making a contribution to the following:

Silicon Valley Community Foundation COVID-19 Regional Response Fund: this fund will support local nonprofit organizations in the nine Bay Area counties, bolstering immediate efforts to address virus-related challenges in their respective communities. Contributors can choose to support one or more of the nine Bay Area counties – Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma. 

Center for Disaster Philanthropy Recovery Fund: this fund will support healthcare facility workers lacking access to essential supplies such as masks and gloves. It will also help quarantined and vulnerable individuals who may be forced to forgo working and receiving an income in order to remain healthy. Finally, this fund will promote water, sanitation and hygiene in areas with poor access to healthcare. The global nature of this outbreak may result in funds being used both in the U.S. and abroad.

Increase support for local organizations you care about: we expect local nonprofits to become overburdened by the increased demand for their direct services and lost revenue. Safety net organizations will be especially impacted — free health clinics will struggle with increased patient loads; food banks will experience increased demand to provide relief to students and working families who rely on school meals for nutrition; and human service organizations will likely see an uptick of hourly and low-wage workers seeking relief from lost wages. Event cancellations and lost ticket sales will severely impact the revenue of arts, cultural, and community institutions. Consider increasing your contribution to local nonprofits that you currently support as they navigate this difficult time. If a fundraising event you were planning to attend has been cancelled, please consider making a contribution similar to what you would have donated.

Please let us know if you have any questions about these giving opportunities, and feel free to share this message with your personal networks. We would be happy to provide additional tailored recommendations and facilitate any gifts upon request.

We at Hirsch Philanthropy Partners are doing everything in our ability to support the health and wellbeing of our team and the larger community. For the next few weeks, we are following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and having our staff work from home. Rest assured, we will be fully operational and responsive as we navigate the challenges posed by COVID-19 together.

We are sending our well-wishes to you and your loved ones, and hope you stay safe and healthy during these challenging circumstances.

In community,

Susan and the Hirsch Philanthropy Partners Team