Overview

We are One Community – One County, and we face an emergency need to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Community Foundation of Otsego County (CFOC) has created the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund for Otsego County.  The Fund issues grants to qualified service organizations that address the most urgent needs of County residents.  Once the crisis abates, the Fund will shift to support recovery efforts.

Community Foundation of Otsego County recognizes that as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to intensify locally, it will have disproportionate health, economic and social impacts on our most vulnerable neighbors.  We also recognize that recovery from the pandemic will require significant investments over an extended time period.  Therefore, we have two goals for the Fund: 1) relief from immediate shortages and impacts created by the crisis; and 2) assistance in recovery efforts once the crisis abates.

Our immediate concern is relief.  We give awards to existing nonprofit organizations on the front lines of responding to these needs.  Awards are issued to meet the following priorities:

• Support for medical workers, EMTs, police, firefighters and others working in essential industries who are risking their own health to serve the community.
• Prevention measures (education, sanitary supplies) that limit the spread of the virus.
• Support for vulnerable populations, i.e., older adults, people with compromised immune systems, and people who are unhoused.
• Practical needs, in case of disruption in services to vulnerable populations, such as meal delivery and daily living support for homebound older adults.
• Food access and other practical supports for people who may have lost wages or who are unable to stock up on food, specifically those who fall in the gaps of government-led structural responses.
• Support for workers, especially low-wage workers, to address lack of access to healthcare and paid sick leave, lack of proper safety equipment, economic impact of lost wages due to quarantines, cancelled activities, reduced hours/layoffs.
• Other emerging, immediate needs.

As we learn more about the impacts of the pandemic, our priorities may change.  All changes will be posted on this site.

The fund has no deadlines or scheduled responses and will attempt to meet needs as they arise.  To submit an application, click here.

At this time, awards are issued only to existing nonprofit organizations operating and located within Otsego County.   No applications can be accepted from individuals.

The Foundation is working remotely; please, no phone calls.  For questions, please email contact@cfotsego.org.

Thank you for all that you are doing for our area during this time of heightened concern.

COVID-19 Awards to Date

*Starred organizations are accepting applications for further distributions.

COVID-19 Award Application Instructions to Applicants

• Please answer all questions.
• Applications must be submitted online.
• If an award is offered, your Board must formally accept it before funds are disbursed.
• We request a report be submitted on the use of award funds. Reports must include metrics on the success or failure of the program or activity that the award supports, evaluations of how the proposed program performed in comparison to expectations, and what changes will be made if the program continues.  Reports are required before the Fund will consider follow-up second awards.
• Applicants must be existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations operating and located within Otsego County. Groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization are eligible but must submit evidence of the sponsorship (funds will be disbursed through that sponsor, which must also provide the identifying information requested in our application).  Awards cannot be made directly to businesses or individuals.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY