United Way’s Rapid Response Fund Focuses 4th Funding Round To Support Triangle Nonprofits Serving Black And Latinx Communities Disproportionately Affected By COVID-19

COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting communities of color nationwide and North Carolina is no exception. In response to the growing disparity in Black and Latinx residents contracting and battling COVID-19, United Way of the Greater Triangle’s Rapid Response Fund is pivoting its focus to provide emergency funding support specifically to Triangle-area nonprofits targeting racial disparities identified during the global pandemic. Nonprofits can apply for grant consideration on United Way of the Greater Triangle’s website. 

Through this racial equity lens, the Rapid Response Fund is prioritizing funding to organizations with demonstrated services providing:

• Food service to vulnerable populations (seniors, children, and families)
• Virtual learning opportunities and innovative education alternatives for children out of school
• Housing support including emergency funds, rental assistance, and homeless services
• Mental and physical health support including access to health care, safe patient engagement in health care settings, and domestic violence, sexual abuse, and substance abuse services

Anyone interested in donating to further support these efforts can do so here: www.unitedwaytriangle.org/response

“The data we’re seeing in North Carolina is sobering. Latinx residents in our state are four times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than the general population. Black residents make up 34% of the state’s reported deaths from COVID-19 while only representing 21% of the state’s population,” explains Nick Allen, United Way of the Greater Triangle’s Chief Program Officer. “It’s not enough to track and wonder why these communities are contracting the virus and dying at disproportionate rates. We all need to take action, and fast.”

The Rapid Response Fund has distributed a total of $1,020,219.40 to 95 nonprofit organizations in the Triangle and surrounding counties since launching in March 2020. The full list of funded organizations, along with additional information and resources, can also be found on United Way’s website.

To date, the Fund has raised more than $1.3M thanks to more than 1,110 individual donors as well as generous contributions from corporate partners including Advance Auto Parts, Burns & McDonnell, Burt’s Bees, Caterpillar Foundation, Coastal Credit Union Foundation, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, Duke Chapter of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, F.M. Kirby Foundation, Google Fiber, GSK, Nationwide Foundation, NetApp, Novozymes, Oak Foundation, Pentair, Pinnacle Financial Partners, PNC, RBC, RTI International, Syngenta, Triangle Community Foundation, Truist Foundation, UPS, Wells Fargo Foundation, and more.

“We are so grateful to our Triangle neighbors and corporate partners for digging deep and swiftly supporting people experiencing very real challenges during this crisis,” said Eric Guckian, United Way of the Greater Triangle’s President and CEO. “United Way is now setting its sights on how we help the community recover long-term. This journey is far from over and we’re grateful for everyone’s help along the way.”

The following organizations and entities will receive funding from the Rapid Response Fund during this fourth funding cycle: Alliance Medical Ministry, Book Harvest, Campaign 4 Change, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation, Curryblossom Foundation, Durham County Department of Public Health, Families Moving Forward, Good News Buenas Nuevas, Grow Your World, Helps Education Fund, LIFE Skills Foundation, My Kid’s Club, Oak City Cares, OE Enterprises, Inc., Orange Congregations In Mission, Orange County Public Schools, Overflowing Hands, Inc., PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Refugee Community Partnership, Refugee Support Center, SEEDS, SouthLight, StandUp-SpeakOut, Student U, The Family Violence Prevention Center, Inc. (InterAct), The Hope Center at Pullen, Triangle Family Services, Urban Ministries of Durham, Urban Ministries of Wake County, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Western Wake Crisis Ministry, and World Relief Durham.