United Way of Rock River Valley (UWRRV) announced it, in collaboration with the 815 Community Response Team, has awarded $250,000 in the first round of grants from its COVID-19 Emerging Needs Fund to 33 non-profit organizations in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago Counties that are responding pragmatically to the needs of individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences.

United Way of Rock River Valley distributed $250,000 in this first round thanks to a donation from the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund, a collaboration between The United Way of Illinois, the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations and the Office of Governor JB Pritzker. UWRRV was one of 30 Illinois organizations to receive an allocation from the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund.

“We are very pleased to have been entrusted with the $250,000 from the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund as it reflects on our ability to act quickly on behalf of local social service organizations,” said Paul Logli, president and CEO, United Way of Rock River Valley. “This pandemic is creating a new normal for us, but what is not new is how United Way is able to respond, getting the funds quickly and efficiently to local, non-profit human service organizations that are best able to meet our communities’ greatest needs.” Grant applications were vetted and chosen by the 815 Community Response Team Grant Making Committee, which is made up of representatives from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, the Kjellstrom Foundation, the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence and United Way of Rock River Valley and is part of the larger 815 Community Response Team, which also includes Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Transform Rockford and the Workforce Connection.

Including the $250,000 allocation from the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund, United Way of Rock River Valley’s COVID-19 Emerging Needs Fund is nearing $550,000 in donations, including a $125,000 donation from the Kjellstrom Family Foundation, and is a testament to the trust the public places on United Way to raise and distribute funds effectively and fairly so organizations can continue providing critical services to their clients. The additional funds will allow a second and possibly third round of grant funding for emerging needs.

“One hundred years ago, the organization that would become United Way of Rock River Valley, was established, and their first campaign raised $92,000 which was $1 million in today’s dollars,” said Logli. “That money was raised not only through company donations, but from one dollar, two dollar and five dollar donations from average, hardworking individuals. They showed that small donations make a big difference and that’s true today. We are as grateful for the $25 donations as we are for the $25,000 as it has allowed us to make a difference immediately.”

The grant recipients are:

Boone County
Belvidere Family YMCA - $7,200
Boone County Council on Aging - $2,500
The Salvation Army – Belvidere - $10,000

Ogle County
Mt. Morris Loaves and Fishes Pantry - $1,000
Serenity Hospice - $2,000
Rochelle Christian Food Pantry - $2,000

Stephenson County
Amity Day Care & Learning Center - $7,100
Boys & Girls Club of Freeport & Stephenson County - $7,000
CONTACT of Northern Illinois - $1,800
Faith Center – Freeport - $5,400
Freeport Area Church Cooperative - $7,200
Mother Hubbard’s Kiddie Cupboard - $800
Public Health Foundation of NW Illinois - $9,000
The Salvation Army of Freeport - $10,000
Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home - $5,500
VOICES of Stephenson County - $2,500

Winnebago County
Northern Illinois Food Bank - $25,000
Milestone - $8,000
Harlem Community Center - $17,000
Children’s Home & Aid - $15,000
Crusader Community Health Foundation - $5,000
Emmanuel Lutheran Church - $1,500
Family Counseling Services - $10,000
Lifescape - $10,000
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois - $5,000
One Body Collaborative - $6,000
Remedies Renewing Lives - $5,000
Rock House Kids – $2,900
Rock River Valley Pantry - $5,650
Rockford Rescue Mission - $9,950
The Salvation Army of Winnebago County - $12,000
Stepping Stones - $2,000
YMCA of Rock River Valley – $26,000
Youth Services Network - $3,000

Additional grants will be awarded on a monthly basis, as funds allow. The next deadline is May 1 and grant applications are available here.

Priorities for funding are, but are not limited to:

§ Housing
     o Utility and Rent Assistance

§ Medical Assistance
     o Prescription Assistance

§ Basic Necessities
o Childcare
o Food
o Transportation

§ Resources for Human Service Organizations as they respond to their clients’ needs.

In order to be eligible for a grant allocation from the United Way COVID-19 Emerging Needs Fund, nonprofit agencies must:

§ Be a 501(c)(3) Organization
§ Be in operation and providing human services in Boone, Winnebago, Ogle or Stephenson counties for at least three years
§ Have an active, local Board of Directors comprised of nonpaid volunteers who meet at least quarterly
§ Maintain an annual operating budget § Agree to the Emerging Needs Fund Memorandum of Understanding
§ Comply in a timely manner to a request for information

To donate to the fund:

Text the word TOGETHER to 40403
Online here
Mail a check made payable to United Way of Rock River Valley 612 North Main Street, Suite 300 Rockford, IL. 61103
Indicate United Way COVID-19 Emerging Needs Fund in the memo line of the check.