Collage of COVID grantees doing work during the pandemic

Week 14: COVID-19 Response Grants

In partnership with our generous donors and supporters, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona has awarded more than $1.6 million in COVID-19 relief funding over the last four months.

We are pleased to announce our fourteenth round of COVID-19 Response Grants.

In week fourteen, $55,000 was awarded to three organizations to provide financial, emotional, and wellness support to lower-income women, free legal services to low-income community members, and access to stable, affordable housing.

YWCA Tucson CEO, Magdalena Verdugo, shared, “While the socio-economic repercussions of this crisis touch all levels of society, the financial burden disproportionally weighs on the lower-income, particularly single mothers, disconnected youth, and the elderly. The extended closing of schools, sustained lack of economic activity, and restrictions on hours of operation in the workplace have an adverse effect on the ability of women employed in low-wage positions to survive financially. The support from CFSA has been instrumental in helping to meet the basic financial, emotional, and wellness needs of our clients and their families throughout COVID-19.”

Step up to Justice’s crucial work of expanding legal work for low-income families in Pima County continues to be even more important in response to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. Executive Director Michele Mirto shared, “Covid-19 has exposed harsh inequities for low-income families grappling with unemployment, eviction, domestic violence, bankruptcy, family law, and an array of other civil legal issues. Over the course of the last few months, and in direct response to community need. Our board and staff deeply appreciate the kindness and generosity of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona during these particularly challenging times.”

Compass Affordable Housing works to improve the quality of family and community life by developing, managing, and connecting people to low-cost housing with supportive services. Their vision to provide a more balanced and engaged community through access to stable housing is particularly important during the COVID-19 crisis. “What the Community Foundation has undertaken to help people during COVID-19 is remarkable and significant,” shared CEO Maryann Beerling. “You are literally helping hundreds and hundreds of people, including children and the most vulnerable. We are honored to have been considered and selected for funding.”