The COVID-19 outbreak affects all segments of the population but is particularly detrimental to members of the social groups in the most vulnerable situations including immigrants, people living in poverty, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and youth. According to the CDC, current data suggests a disproportionate burden of illness and death among racial and ethnic minority groups. The intention of this open grant cycle is to address these challenges in Essex County via the innovative work of the many front-line nonprofits serving the community.

Applicants are asked to apply in one priority area of Health & Mental Health, Economic Security, or Education & Youth (see schedule below). Applications should clearly articulate how their organization has pivoted (or plans to pivot) to address the challenge outlined in each priority area below. Only one application (as lead applicant) per organization. Should your organization be part of a collaborative application, you may be listed as a partner in another lead applicant’s request.

HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH

• Public Health & Community Safety
• Priority on organizations that serve seniors, communities of color, underserved youth, immigrants, and other vulnerable populations
• Priority on organizations working to provide Access to Quality Care Advances and the work outlined in the CHIP Social determinants of health (housing & health, access to healthy food, etc. FYI: The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides medical coverage for individuals under age 19 whose parents earn too much income to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to pay for private coverage.)
• Priority to organizations working to build the pipeline of equitable, culturally relevant mental health and substance use supports and workforce
• Emphasis on technology (such as telehealth) that will allow more equitable access to healthcare

ECONOMIC SECURITY

• Housing Insecurity – focus on basic needs for Housing and Homelessness, rental assistance
• Food Insecurity
• Employment Opportunity – Adult Basic Education/Workforce Training/Technical Assistance for Small Businesses to get back to business

EDUCATION AND YOUTH

COVID-19 is having an unprecedented impact on youth as we have experienced changes in learning during quarantine, summer programming and the future evolution of education. The impact on youth will undoubtedly be far reaching in terms of learning loss, opportunity gaps, social emotional effects and for some, an increase in abuse at the hands of family members. In addition, families living in poverty rely on education systems to support their many nutritional and health needs and are disproportionately disadvantaged in terms of remote learning.

Applications will be considered in the following categories under Education & Youth:

• Technological transformation
• Social emotional preparations and adaptations
• Programs addressing learning loss, mentoring, or college prep
• After School enrichment programs
• Early Childhood Development
• STEAM Programs

Grants will range from $5,000 – $50,000. In rare instances of collaboration and regional or county-wide systems thinking, ECCF will consider proposals that exceed $50,000. Grant funding must be expended within one year of receiving the grant award. It is important the grant begin to deliver resources immediately or expeditiously.

There are three priority areas in this Open Application phase of the Essex County COVID-19 Response Fund, each with its own cycle. Applications will be accepted for one priority area for each month of July, August, and September (see deadlines and decision dates in the table below). 

Throughout the three-month Open Application phase, agencies may only apply once in the priority area of their choice. However, if an agency is part of a collaborative application, they may apply as the lead in another category. Late submissions will not be accepted.”

ECCF is working with a 30-person team of diverse community volunteers, representing people from a wide array of ethnic, racial, gender, professional background, and areas of expertise. The committee, led by ECCF staff, is broken down into teams by priority area, each with its own criteria, rubric and scoring. We will apply an equity lens when reviewing applications across all priority areas.

What will not be funded?

The Fund is not able to support organizations seeking funding solely for lost revenue or loss of future revenue due to canceled events, programs or other financial commitments made prior to the pandemic. We recognize these challenges and the financial burden this pandemic has caused to thousands of nonprofits, however, the Fund can only support organizations that meet the Fund’s stated purpose.

Based upon the charitable structure of the Essex County COVID-19 Response Fund, our grants are limited to 501c3 nonprofit organizations, groups fiscally sponsored by a 501c3 nonprofit organization, or other charitable organizations able to receive a tax-deductible contribution, such as schools, faith-based organizations, and other public entities. We are not able to fund individuals or businesses directly, labor unions, or other 501c4, 501c5, and 501c6 organizations.

In addition, grants will not be awarded:

• To individuals
• For sectarian or religious purposes. COVID-19 Response Fund grants to faith-based organizations may only be used for non-conditional relief work and available to all qualified applicants without obligation
• For political purposes
• For debt or deficit reduction
• For capital campaigns for buildings, land acquisition, or endowment
• To support academic research

Organizations are still eligible to apply even if they received funding from the Essex County COVID-19 Response Fund during its rapid response phase.

Individuals unable to attend either session may view a recording of the session, linked below.

• Wednesday July 8. 12- 1 pm. | WATCH SESSION RECORDING
• Wednesday July 15. 5 – 6 pm. | WATCH SESSION RECORDING

Any questions should be directed to Carol Lavoie Schuster at c.lavoieschuster@eccf.org.

Proposals must be submitted through ECCF’s Application Portal.

If you do not yet have a login for our application Portal, please read our Grant Application Process page which will give you access to the Portal.