COVID-19 Donation Relief Fund Established - Press Release

COVID-19 Donation Relief Fund Established - Collaboration with the Community Foundation of Burke County

March 27, 2020 - During the ongoing and unpredictable COVID-19 crisis, nonprofits and charitable organizations expect to be it hard financially, as they will be on the front lines of assisting citizens in need. Burke County United Way (BCUW), which provides funds to Burke County nonprofits through individual and corporate donations, recognizes that these organizations are now finding themselves under-resourced to meet a growing demand for services. According to the latest NC2-1-1 Call Center report, the greatest demands are for food, utility assistance, and housing/shelter.

In order to help meet the short-term needs of organizations that will be impacted by COVID-19, as well as the long-term needs that have yet to be seen, Burke County United Way (BCUW) has set up the COVID-19 Donation Relief Fund and are urging all community members who are able to donate. BCUW is collaborating with the Community Foundation of Burke County (CFBC), Grace Episcopal Church Foundation, the Huffman-Cornwell Foundation, the Rostan Family Foundation, The Western Piedmont Foundation, and other local foundations to be named at a later date, to provide a united funding stream and application process to get much needed funds to our local non-profits. Donations collected will be directed to CFBC’s 2020 Covid-19 Community Emergency Response Fund. Tax-exempt 501(c) (3) organizations that have programs benefiting the residents of Burke County will be able to apply for grants through the Community Foundation of Burke County’s applications process.

To donate now, go online to bcuw.org and click COVID-19 Donation Relief Fund, or text RELIEF4BURKE to 313131. 100% of the funds raised will be used for COVID-19 relief efforts; no administration fees will be taken. “Our community needs us now more than ever. Local non-profits are working hard to meet the increased demand for services, but they need our help as community members to donate what we can. No amount is too small. A $5, $10, $15 contribution can make a positive impact,” said Maureen “Mo” Schwind, Executive Director of Burke County United Way, which holds a GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency.

For more information on the COVID-19 Donation Relief Fund, call Burke County United Way at 828-433-0681 or email us at info@bcuw.org.