Oshkosh COVID-19 Relief Fund
Oshkosh Area United Way and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation have launched a collaborative emergency financial response, the Oshkosh COVID-19 Relief Fund.
The Oshkosh COVID-19 Relief Fund has been established to provide flexible financial resources to 501(c)(3) organizations working in the Oshkosh community who are disproportionately impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the economic consequences of the outbreak. Initial funding has been donated by Oshkosh Area United Way and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation.
Please consider an online donation of $25.00 or more today to help our community prevent financial hardship caused by COVID-19. 100% of the funds raised through the Oshkosh COVID-19 Relief Fund will be used to help those affected throughout our community. OAUW and OACF will cover administrative and transactional fees associated with donations to this fund.
Donation Options
- Online via credit card HERE – online donations are through Oshkosh Area Community Foundation’s safe and secure donation portal
- Via check written to Oshkosh Area United Way and mailed to:
Oshkosh Area United Way
ATTN: COVID 19 Relief Fund Donation
21 W. New York Avenue
Oshkosh, WI 54901 - Via check written to Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and mailed to:
Oshkosh Area Community Foundation
ATTN: COVID 19 Relief Fund Donation
230 Ohio Street, Suite 100
Oshkosh, WI 54902
Frequently Asked Questions
- 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 those most impacted, we are not considering restricted donations at this time. The collaborative Oshkosh COVID-19 Relief Fund was created to provide a coordinated response to immediate needs in the Oshkosh community.
- Can I write my check to either organization? Yes. Donation checks may be made out to either Oshkosh Area United Way or the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. For more information on donating, please see the information above. Funds donated to either entity will be combined into one Oshkosh COVID-19 Relief Fund to be distributed to the community.
- I am an individual who has been affected by COVID-19. Can this fund help me? We understand many individuals and families have been impacted by the outbreak, with more to be affected. The Oshkosh COVID-19 Relief Fund will provide resources to 501(c)(3) organizations in the Oshkosh area that are directly supporting local, vulnerable residents and families.While the fund is not available to individuals, it will support local nonprofit organizations that are well experienced in providing local service and support. If you need assistance finding food, paying housing bills, accessing childcare, or other essential services, please call 2-1-1.
Grant Eligibility
The Community Foundation and United Way, in consultation and partnership with other community entities, will administer grants from the Fund in phases to help address immediate needs and short-term and longer-term impacts of the outbreak and recovery.
During Phase One, priority will be given to nonprofits that are providing direct assistance to vulnerable individuals and families impacted by COVID-19. Such assistance may include the provision of food and hygiene supplies, housing, childcare, and/or health services. All grants in Phase One will be related to the increased demand due to COVID-19 and the Safer-at-Home Order. The immediate priority is emergency relief and support. We will consider additional requests as the weeks unfold and as funds are available.
Phase One includes proactively identifying potential grant recipients and using input, guidance, and research from organizations and others in the community to make grant decisions. In order to move resources quickly and not further burden nonprofit organizations, there will not be a formal application process for Phase One. Agencies providing immediate basic needs relief are encouraged to email Candice Lane at candice@oshkoshunitedway.org to share their needs so they can be considered during the granting process.
Resources For Nonprofits
NPlace (www.nplace.org) is a free resource helping nonprofits connect with peers, experts, and volunteers to help answer questions across all topics, from human resources to legal to technology. To help nonprofits navigate the current crisis and connect with each other, they created a group specific to the COVID-19 Response.
IT Forward (www.itforward.org) has launched several free resources to help nonprofits answer tech questions and quickly remote-enable their workforce through the crisis.
The Nonprofit Quarterly article “How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19” shares insights about how nonprofits might utilize the new federal legislation relating to coronavirus to advance their missions.
Additional Information
For questions on the COVID-19 Relief Fund, contact Candice Lane at candice@oshkoshunitedway.org.
For general COVID-19 questions, call 2-1-1. Direct any immediate questions regarding COVID-19 to the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 920.232.3026.