Supporting local nonprofit organizations
serving Lake County's most vulnerable neighbors
Lake County’s health and human service organizations are experiencing an unprecedented demand for services from neighbors and communities significantly impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
It’s critical these organizations have the resources they need to continue to operate at the highest capacity.
Your donation will support the agencies that are ensuring our neighbors can access critical needs in this time of crisis, including emergency food assistance, rental and stable housing assistance, utility assistance, access to health care, and the many unforeseeable needs that are beginning to arise and are being identified through the 211 information and referral helpline.
About the Lake County
COVID-19 Community Response Fund
In collaboration with Lake County Government, Lake County Community Foundation, and Lake County Municipal League, United Way of Lake County launched the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund to unite the funds raised by Lake County’s philanthropies, corporations and individuals to be disbursed to nonprofit organizations across the county.
As we are individually taking steps to protect our own families, workplaces and neighborhoods from the effects of the virus, let’s not forget the impact this will have on our neighbors. Missing paychecks, the inability to pay rent and utilities, and a lack of access to food and essential supplies are realities that many in our region will have to face in the coming weeks.
Please join us in supporting our neighbors across Lake County, Illinois!
FUNDING PARTNERS
(as of 6.16.20)
Amcor Flexibles, AbbVie, The Baxter International Foundation, BD Becton Dickinson, The Buchanan Family Foundation, Federal Life Insurance Company, First Midwest Bank, The Julian Grace Foundation, Huntington Foundation, Karmapa Center 16, Lake County Community Foundation, Medline Industries, The Nielsen-Massey Foundation, RoundTable Healthcare Partners, John and Kathleen Schreiber Foundation, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Trustmark, United Conveyor Corporation, United Way of Lake County
In Partnership With
Thank you to our partners who have come together from philanthropy, government, and business to support our community through the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund.
Lake County
COVID-19 Community Response Fund FAQs
- What will my donation support?
- Your donation will help provide increased access to emergency food and basic supplies, rent and mortgage assistance, utility assistance, and an increased ability to respond to emergency needs identified through the 211 information and referral helpline.
- Will all of the money donated go to the community?
- Yes. 100% of all donations will go directly to support services and supplies for those in need, other than a small credit card processing fee.
- What organizations will receive funds?
- We are seeing a great strain on local health and human service providers. Based on the most pressing needs identified by 211 and with input from leading non-profits, we will prioritize funding to local non-profit agencies tasked with addressing the critical needs of people and families in our community during this COVID-19 outbreak and its consequences. Funding decisions will be made by United Way of Lake County staff and volunteers with the Community Impact Council. They will review each application and select for funding organizations that best meet the identified needs. The distribution for the week of May 11 will focus on meeting the COVID-19 related food and essential basic needs for families, young children and seniors. As grants are awarded we will post them on this page.
The grant recipients for the first cycle on March 30 include:- A Safe Place
- Catholic Charities
- Hanul Family Alliance
- Mano a Mano Family Resource Center
- Nicasa
- Northern Illinois Food Bank
- PADS Lake County
- Roberti Community House
The grant recipients for the second cycle on April 13 include:
- A Safe Place
- Catholic Charities
- ChildServ
- Community Partners for Affordable Housing
- Family Services of Lake County
- Lake County Haven
- Libertyville Township Gift Fund
- Most Blessed Trinity Parish
The grant recipients for the third cycle on April 27 include:
- CYN Counseling Center
- Elderwerks
- Erie Family Health Centers
- Family First Center of Lake County
- Messiah Lutheran Church
- Nicasa
- Pioneer Center
- Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinics
- Youth and Family Counseling
The grant recipients for the fourth cycle on May 14 include:
- Beacon Place
- Club Apaseo el Alto
- Diaper Bank Partnership of Lake County
- Emmanuel Faith Bible Christian Center - Food Pantry
- Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP)
- The Giving Point Food Pantry
- Grandparents and Kins Raising Children
- Hispanic American Community Education and Services (HACES)
- Mothers Trust Foundation
- Roberti Community House
- Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers
- Taylor’s Toolbox Inc
- Youthage Culinary Program Inc
The grant recipients for the fifth cycle on May 29 include:
- A Safe Place
- Catholic Charities
- Community Action Project of Lake County
- Curts Café Highland Park
- Families Helping Families Chicagoland, in partnership with BellaRu Catering
- Nicasa
- Northern Illinois Food Bank
- PADS Lake County
- Roberti Community House
- 211
For assistance finding food, shelter, rent or utility assistance, or other essential services, call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can help. 211 is available 24/7.
- Can I designate my donation to a specific organization?
- The Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund is a general fund to support those most in need. The fund was created in order to move resources quickly based on identified needs and to adapt to evolving needs in subsequent funding phases. We encourage you to give directly to any specific health and human service providers you would like to support.
- How does my organization apply for funding?
- The Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund has received generous donations from corporations, philanthropies and many individuals. We are pleased to announce a fourth funding distribution.United Way recognizes that many smaller organizations are doing critical work serving communities and populations that are disproportionally impacted by COVID-19. To ensure that smaller organizations have access to COVID-19 funding, this distribution of the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund will be limited to organizations that have a budget under $1,000,000 annually.
The distribution for the week of May 11 will focus on meeting the COVID-19 related food and essential basic needs for families, young children and seniors. United Way recognizes that many smaller organizations are doing critical work serving communities and populations that are disproportionally impacted by COVID-19. To ensure that smaller organizations have access to COVID-19 funding, this distribution of the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund will be limited to organizations that have a budget under $1,000,000 annually.
- All funding must be directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Only 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that have a budget under $1,000,000 and are actively meeting this focused need at the present time should apply.
- Funding must serve Lake County residents only.
- Religious organizations may apply, but cannot restrict services to their members or require religious activities as a condition of receiving aid.
- All funding must be for expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations with a budget of $500,000 or less may request up to $10,000, organizations with a budget of $500,001 to $1,000,000 may request up to $15,000.
- Funding must be spent within 30 days
Organizations eligible to apply should submit a 1-2 page application containing the following information:
- Name of organization, annual revenue for most recent completed fiscal year, and name and contact information for the person responsible for this program.
- A one to two sentence description of the services for which they are requesting funds – suitable for describing the program in a press release.
- One paragraph summary of the program meeting the identified need (above).
- 1-2 paragraphs on how this program has changed to address the increasing/changing needs of individuals impacted by COVID-19.
- Amount of request and what will be provided for this request. Be as specific as possible.
- Number of people to be served with the requested funding.
- Geographic area served by this program.
- Please submit a copy of the IRS 501(c)3 designation letter with the application.
For your information, here is the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund Memorandum of Agreement and Required Reporting Form. Successful candidates will need to complete these after the grant is announced.
This funding request is due by 4:00 p.m. Monday, May 11. Successful candidates will receive notification of funding by May 15. Applications should be emailed to Robin Bultman at robin.bultman@uwlakeco.org. Because of the quick moving nature of this proposal process, no late submissions will be considered.
If you have questions about this request for proposal, contact David McDowell at david.mcdowell@uwlakeco.org or Michelle Crombie at michelle.crombie@uwlakeco.org.
Future funding will be announced on this website.If donations will allow, the next distribution details will be announced the week of May 20.
- Can an individual or family apply for resources from the Fund?
- While the fund is not able to provide grants to individuals or families, we will be funding community-based non-profits that have experience and a history of providing people and families with health and human services and support. If you are looking for available resources, please consider calling 211 or texting your zip code to 898211.
- What are the most current updates regarding the impacts of COVID-19 in Lake County?
- Visit the following for accurate, reliable and up-to-date information: Lake County Health Department & Community Health Center website; the Illinois Department of Public Health website and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
To receive general information about coronavirus via text message, text "COVID19" to 211211.
Contact 211 to Connect with Available Community Services
QUESTIONS?
- General questions & inquiries about the Fund can be directed to United Way of Lake County’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund Processing Center at help@uwlakeco.org
- For interested donors, please contact United Way of Lake County’s VP of Resource Development Quinton Snodgrass at quinton.snodgrass@uwlakeco.org
- For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact Lori Nerheim at lori.nerheim@uwlakeco.org or Arin Thrower at athrower@lakecountyil.gov
- To make a donation by stock, wire transfer or other assets, please contact United Way of Lake County’s VP of Resource Development Quinton Snodgrass at quinton.snodgrass@uwlakeco.org or 847-775-1046
- To pay by check, please note “COVID-19 Community Response Fund” on the check and make checks payable to United Way of Lake County. Please mail to United Way of Lake County, 330 Greenleaf Street, Gurnee, IL 60031
United Way of Lake County is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. EIN: 36-2167949.
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