The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas is donating $500,000 to address immediate food insecurity in the state and opening the “Rapid-Response COVID Relief” grant process to award up to $1.7 million in grants to nonprofits that have been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.
Established by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield in 2001, the Blue & You Foundation is providing support to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, Arkansas Food Bank, The Pack Shack and 17 United Way agencies statewide to address food insecurity. It is also providing $150,000 to the Arkansas Community Foundation, which is offering COVID-19-related grants.
“Recognizing the tremendous health, economic, and social needs created by the coronavirus pandemic and that we must act with a greater sense of urgency to help struggling communities and their citizens, the Blue & You Foundation is making funds available outside of our normal grant process,” said Executive Director Patrick O’Sullivan in a news release. “The ‘Rapid-Response COVID Relief’ grant process is open and accepting applications. The process has been significantly shortened and grants will be reviewed and awarded weekly for nonprofits that have been affected by the coronavirus health crisis to be used for prevention and relief.”
Applications will be received online only, and applicants may request a grant ranging from $5,000 to $150,000. Applications will be reviewed and funding decisions will be made on a weekly basis. Grants not approved immediately each week will be held for consideration for funding later.
A closing date for this grant process has not been set.
In addition, the foundation’s regular grants cycle for the year has been suspended to allow for the special COVID-19-related grants program.
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