FITCHBURG — The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts recently distributed eight grants totaling $48,000 from its Critical Needs COVID-19 Response Fund to support the needs of nonprofits working to provide food, safe housing, emotional support and other life essentials to North Central Massachusetts residents.
With these grants, Community Foundation COVID-19 grants now total $104,300.
The following organizations received grants in the second and third rounds: Catholic Charities of Worcester County, food pantry, $5,000; Growing Places, fresh food, $7,000; Making Opportunity Count, emergency fund administration, $5,000; NewVue Communities, financial counseling, $3,000; North Central Massachusetts Faith Based Community Coalition, homeless services, $5,000; Pepperell Aid Community to Home, food pantry, $8,000; Townsend Ecumenical Outreach, food pantry, $10,000; and We Rise Above, children in foster care, $5,000.
The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts is a tax-exempt public charity founded in 2001, created by and for the people of the North Central Massachusetts region. Since then, the Community Foundation has been helping people establish charitable funds and make grants to improve the quality of life in the 33 communities across the region. It works with individuals, families, financial advisors and nonprofit organizations.
The Critical Needs COVID-19 Response Fund was established with $45,000 in funds from the Community Foundation Critical Needs Endowment. With additional donations from Community Foundation donors and the public, the amount has swelled to $289,400.
The Community Foundation is considering additional grant requests as they come in. To be considered for an emergency grant from this fund, applicants should:
■Be a nonprofit organization with a 501c3 designation or be supported by a fiscal sponsor.
■Be located and operate within the 33-community region of North Central Massachusetts.
■Priority will be given to organizations providing essential services.
To apply for a grant, go to www.cfncm.org.
To donate to the Community Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund, visit its website: https://bit.ly/2WR37zr