At the Morgridge Family Foundation, we are deeply committed to the communities where we live, play, and serve. While our foundation is known for disruption, the COVID-19 pandemic caused us to pause. We began having critical conversations to determine how and where we could help during this unprecedented moment. We listened to trusted philanthropists and non-profit leaders, we signed the national CV19 Philanthropist Pledge, we joined Governor Polis’s COVID Relief Leadership Committee, and then got to work.

On Monday, March 23, we allocated $1 million to COVID-19 emergency response. That same day the foundation invited a short-list from our 600+ partner network to apply for immediate, unrestricted grants. We received more than 60 applications requesting over $4.1 million. Forty-six of these requests will be funded from the total budget in varying amounts. Three organizations received $100,000, the largest amount awarded.

These three organizations and their areas of need include:

Second Harvest Food Bank (Orlando, FL) Second Harvest Food Bank delivers meals to food deserts, schools, and mobile pantries. Due to COVID-19, their services are more needed than ever with an increase of 80 – 90% demand.

Boys and Girls Club (St. Lucie, FL) In conjunction with the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners, The Boys and Girls Club of St. Lucie County is providing free childcare to essential staff in their community including first responders, healthcare providers, and county staff assigned to emergency operations. In addition, they are providing food to vulnerable populations. The $100,000 St. Lucie grant will kick start a collective fund through the Community Foundation Martin St. Lucie.

Adams 12 Five Star Schools (Thornton, CO) Adams 12 is one of Colorado’s largest school districts. While schools are closed, Adams 12 is providing meals for approximately 5,000 children and their parents.

Each non-profit was selected and approved for funding because of their organizations’ trusted ability to maximize our investment and use sound judgment to impact as many people as possible. In this time of dire need for families, our role as philanthropists is to act quickly and get support to those most affected by this pandemic. We consider each and every recipient to be an exceptional partner and a leader in their local COVID response.

To our community, thank you. Thank you for what you are doing for our neighbors, thank you for what you are doing for our communities, and thank you for what you are doing for our country. During this complex and devastating time, you are a harbinger for hope and positive impact.