The Power of Collaboration: Oakland COVID-19 Relief Fund

PFS client foundations are rising to meet this moment in many ways, including emergency grants to sustain current grantees and rapid response grants to those organizations on the front line. During this unprecedented time of need, local foundations are partnering with governmental agencies and corporate funders in innovative ways, ensuring support finds its way to communities across the Bay Area. One such effort is underway in Oakland, where Crankstart – a new member of the PFS client community – has joined forces with the Hellman and Stupski Foundations, the City of Oakland, as well as other funders to launch the Oakland COVID-19 Relief Fund. The effort is intended to meet the needs of Oakland’s most vulnerable populations and first responders by providing grants to nonprofit organizations working on the frontlines.

The fund has raised more than $3.5 million dollars in the first two weeks and made grants to nine community-based organizations, with a focus on four priority areas: food security, homelessness, community health education and economic security.

Upon announcing the fund, Mayor Libby Schaaf expressed her appreciation to funders. “The sudden and immediate impact of COVID-19 has disrupted every aspect of our daily lives. In these unprecedented times, I’m proud we can rely on our generous philanthropic community to start this fund, and I’m grateful to all those who will contribute to it in the coming days and weeks to support Oakland.”

Please reach out if you are interested in learning more or donations can be made directly online to support this critical effort.

For additional information, please check out:

Press Release
List of funders and grants
Donation page