The COVID-19 Response Fund is rapidly deploying resources to the LGBTQIA community affected by the coronavirus crisis.
This Fund micro grants to individuals and nonprofits that are most affected by the Coronavirus. The first round of grants is prioritizing the communities listed below, all of whom are particularly impacted by this crisis.
- Low-income residents, including those without health insurance and/or access to sick days
- Low-income workers in disproportionally impacted industries, such as healthcare and the service industry, as well as gig-economy workers
- Residents with greater health risks, including people over age 60, people with compromised immune systems, and pregnant people
- People experiencing homelessness
- People with disabilities
- Communities of color
- Undocumented workers and families
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m an individual who’s been affected by COVID-19. Can this Fund help me?
Yes. Check the eligibility requirements within the application by hitting the “Apply” button on this page.
My organization is interested in resources from this Fund. Can we be considered?
We understand the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in many ways, including increased demand for their services, lost revenue due to closures and cancellations, as well as other challenges. Please feel free to apply and notate the work of your organization and how its being impacted.
I want to donate. Can I restrict my funding to a prioritized grantee?
To ensure we move resources as efficiently as possible and respond to needs of communities most impacted, we are not considering restricted donations at this time.
Should I give to this Fund instead of making other donations?
This Fund was not created to be the only vehicle resourcing critical community activities during this outbreak. Rather it is working to facilitate getting more targeted resources into the community where it’s needed most. If the COVID-19 Response Fund priorities align with your values, please consider making a donation. Now is the time to double down for our community as we gain greater awareness of the depth and scale of the long-term ramifications of the outbreak.
Is there a fee to contribute?
With a focus on getting resources out to the community in this critical time, there is no administrative fee for participating in the Fund. 100% of donations will go to community groups and leaders on the ground, except for a credit card fee for online donations, which is 3.75% + $0.35 per transaction. PFUND Foundation is covering the cost of staff leading this effort.
How will the Fund shift gears if needed?
The Fund priorities may evolve as our region adapts to the COVID-19 outbreak. We will continue to prioritize communities most impacted, recognizing deep and historic inequities that are likely to be magnified in times of crisis. Crisis philanthropy recognizes the need to provide immediate resources for triage, as well as the importance of recovery resources to ensure community resilience.
When is the deadline?
There is no set application deadline. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling first-come, first-served basis and awarded until funds are exhausted.
How soon will funds be distributed?
Funds to eligible recipients will be distributed on a weekly basis until funds are exhausted.
Special Thanks to Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund Partners
In March 2020, the Minnesota Council on Foundations and Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation convened to discuss the impact of a potential coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the state of Minnesota. The outcome of the discussion led to the inception of the Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund (MDRF) for coronavirus, created to support community needs as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic. The MDRF funds both short and long-term needs that arise within communities, due to coronavirus or future disasters that occur within the state of Minnesota. Funds will be raised through philanthropic entities. To date, $5 million has been raised for this fund.
Thank you to our partners who have come together from philanthropy, government, and business to support our community through the COVID-19 Response Fund. In times of crisis, coordination is vital and valued in getting critical resources to communities most impacted. We are grateful to the philanthropic leadership of our community working quickly and collectively to support those most impacted in this dynamic time.
Pfund Foundation is one of 11 organizations chosen to disperse recovery funds
Eleven Minnesota Initiative Foundations, local community foundations, and other intermediaries have collectively received an initial disbursement of $2 million from the Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund for coronavirus.
- Ameriprise Financial Foundation
- Aroha Philanthropies
- Best Buy
- Better Way Foundation
- Blandin Foundation
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation
- Bush Foundation
- Cargill Foundation
- Carlson Family Foundation
- Charlson Foundation
- Catholic Community Foundation
- Edward & Markell C Brooks Fund from The Minneapolis Foundation
- F. R. Bigelow Foundation
- GHR Foundation
- Hardenbergh Foundation
- Hawkins, Inc.
- John Larsen Foundation
- Land O’Lakes Foundation
- Lulu Foundation
- Mardag Foundation
- McKnight Foundation
- Medtronic Foundation
- Minnesota Vikings
- Northwest Area Foundation
- Pohlad Family Foundation
- Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
- Securian Foundation
- Stiles Foundation
- Sundance Family Foundation
- Target Foundation
- TCF Bank Foundation
- The Margaret A. Cargill Fund at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
- The Otto Bremer Trust
- Thrivent Foundation
- Wells Fargo Foundation
- Winnebago Industries Foundation
- Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
- Woodbury Community Foundation