Who are Mercer County's Struggling Families?*
- Low-income families with children
- Workers whose hours may be cut
- Seniors
*Refer to the ALICE Report click here for the latest report.
how will monies raised get into the community?
While the COVID-19 Compassion Fund is not able to provide grants to individuals, we will be funding nonprofit organizations that have experience and history of providing immediate relief for individuals and families in need of:
- Food
- Rent assistance
- Utilities – light, gas, water
- Child Care
- Youth Enrichment
- Prescriptions/Medical assistance
- Mental Health
- Financial Security
WHAT MUNICIPALITIES WILL BE COVERED BY THE COVID-19 COMPASSION FUND?
The Compassion Fund will serve UWGMC’s service area which includes: Trenton, Hamilton, Ewing, Hightstown, and Princeton. Click here for the complete service area.
HOW WILL YOU ANNOUNCE WHO HAS RECEIVED FUNDING?
Grants will be announced on our website, via social media and other marketing collaterals.
Grants will be distributed on a rolling basis to address both the acute community needs from the outbreak and the longer-term impacts of recovery. See the list of Phase 1 grant recipients here and check back for updates.
WILL THE FUND FOCUS SHIFT?
UWGMC will continue to evaluate emerging basic needs and look at the long-term economic stability needs of households who are experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19 by soliciting community feedback as well as reviewing data and surveys from NJ211, researchers and other entities.
We will prioritize communities most impacted, recognizing deep and historic inequities that are likely to be magnified in times of crisis.
WILL THERE BE AN ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE APPLIED TO RELIEF FUND DONATIONS?
To support administrative and processing costs, a 3% fee will be withheld from all fund contributions.
WHO WILL DECIDE HOW COVID-19 COMPASSION FUND WILL BE SPENT?
The funds available have been contributed by individual donors, foundations, and corporations to be used exclusively to meet the unmet needs of persons impacted by the COVID-19 and to fill a community service gap as a result of the pandemic. UWGMC staff and an advisory committee will decide on non-profit organizations that are responding to the immediate needs of individuals and families as well as providing services for long-term recovery.
DOES EVERY DONATION COUNT?
UWGMC is grateful for all donations to the COVID-19 Compassion Fund. Small donations collectively have a huge impact and regardless of the size, it does make a difference.
SHOULD I GIVE TO THIS FUND INSTEAD OF MAKING OTHER DONATIONS?
This Fund was not created to be the only vehicle for directing resources into the community. This is a critical time for so many, including the nonprofit organizations that have benefited from your giving in the past. Many organizations that had to cancel their annual fundraising events or depend heavily on public gatherings, so please continue to give to organizations you regularly support, and those that need your help at this crucial time. Now is the time to double down for our community.
WHAT ELSE IS UWGMC DOING TO SUPPORT THE STRUGGLING FAMILIES IMPACTED BY COVID-19?
We know that there will be a serious short- and long-term impact of the pandemic. Before the health crisis, there were already 55,000 struggling families in Mercer County, a number that is now increasing.
As a direct service provider, UWGMC is providing impactful programming such as:
- Benefit Access Program
- FREE Tax Prep
- Financial Coaching-Coming Soon!
We are also making sure these one-kind resources are available to the community including NJ 211, Familywize, and TDI Connect.
ARE THERE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES RELATED TO COVID-19?
For volunteer projects related to COVID-19 response, please email Denise Daniels at Denise.Daniels@uwgmc.org
