GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Monday morning, United Way announced that some of West Michigan's most well known philanthropists have contributed over $2 million to Kent County’s Coronavirus Response Fund. The fund, administered by Heart of West Michigan United Way, is a coordinated effort on the part of foundations, corporations, and individuals to quickly raise and allocate money to local agencies meeting the needs of those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Foundations and Corporations Supporting Coronavirus Response Fund:
· Amway
· CDV5 Foundation
· Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation
· Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation
· Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation
· Frey Foundation
· Grand Rapids Community Foundation
· Horizon Bank
· Jandernoa Foundation
· Kellogg Company
· Meijer
· Peter C. & Emajean Cook Foundation
· Steelcase Foundation
· Wege Foundation
To date, more than $1 million has been given out in grants of up to $25,000 to 70 Kent County agencies and applications are coming in on a daily basis. 100 percent of the money donated to the fund will be granted out to agencies. Funded services include the purchasing and distribution of food and essential household goods, emergency shelter, childcare, and transportation.
Women’s Resource Center, United Church Outreach Ministry, Mel Trotter Ministries, Kent School Services Network, and the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan are among the recipients. You can view the full list of grant receipts here.
“The essential services you provide day after day offer hope, stability, and the building blocks for a good quality of life for every member of our community," said Meijer President and CEO Rick Keyes and executive chairman Hank Meijer wrote." Today, the work you are doing is even more vital. … We are honored to be working together with the United Way to help care for our communities.”
United Way contributed $50,000 from its own budget to the effort.