United Way of Western Nebraska is launching a relief fund, the COVID-19 Community Compassion Fund, to help organizations and individuals most in need of assistance. This fund was made possible by a very generous $10,000 lead grant from First National Bank of Omaha. United Way of Western Nebraska is now accepting donations to this fund.
Process
An Ad Hoc Advisory Committee will be formed with community leaders that will work with United Way to advise on the direction and implementation of support to address the needs in the community. The committee will administer grants from the fund in phases to help address immediate needs and short-term and longer-term impacts of the outbreak and recovery. Grants will be released on a rolling basis as the situation unfolds, making it possible to move resources as quickly as possible and adapt to evolving community needs. The process overall will be dependent upon available dollars. Our goal is to notify applicants of granting decisions as expeditiously as possible.
Funding Priorities
This fund provides nonprofit organizations with flexible resources to address the impact of the COVID-19 public health crisis on our community or other publicly declared crisis, including immediate basic needs, gaps in service, and operational challenges. Preference will be given to the provision of direct services in this context.
Eligibility
The COVID-19 Community Compassion Fund is able to support organizations meeting the following criteria:
· Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS, or community-based groups, governmental bodies, municipalities, or schools fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in good standing with the IRS.
· Directly serve the people of the United Way of Western Nebraska’s service areas.
· Conduct business without discrimination with regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
ancestry, political beliefs, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or any other category protected by l