By Kat Gammon, communications & outreach manager for United Way of the Brazos Valley
Community nonprofits are partnering with local governments and businesses to launch a relief fund for Brazos Valley residents and businesses that face economic uncertainty as the region continues to follow CDC, state, and city guidelines designed to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund is being spearheaded by United Way of the Brazos Valley, the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley, the city of Bryan, and the city of College Station in partnership with Stylecraft Builders, the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley - Fries Financial Services Fund, Tim and Travis Bryan, First Financial Bank, and others who have already contributed more than $80,000 to the relief effort.
The goal of the relief fund is to provide funds for measures such as food, rent, and utility relief for residents along with small business relief as the community follows social distancing and isolation measures to curb the spread of the illness within the community.
Chris Field wanted to combine community resources for a common goal. Founder of the Mercy Project and the B/CS Marathon, Field put the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley together with the United Way of the Brazos Valley. Soon, separate city efforts that were underway in Bryan and College Station joined together as the COVID-19 community relief partnership.
“I look around and see people who are my neighbors and friends and know they are suffering,” says Field. “This felt like the perfect way to unite everyone who wants to help and connect them to those around us who can really use it.”
Small businesses will be able apply for payroll assistance programs with these funds to help keep workers employed. Grant funding will also be available for community nonprofits that provide services for residents needing food, rent, and utility assistance, among others.
Grant funding is designed to help existing nonprofit organizations and small businesses, therefore individuals are not eligible for this fund. Individuals may benefit from the programs offered by grant fund recipients and other programs already in place.
Applications for the first funding cycle will open on Wednesday, March 25, at 5pm and close Friday, March 27, at noon. Applications will continue to be accepted until all funds have been dispersed. The applications will be posted at www.uwbv.org/covid19.
Anyone can donate to the Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief fund by texting BVCOVID19 to 41444 or by donating online at www.uwbv.org/covid19.
