Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation: COVID-19 Response Fund Opens

 

El Centro, CA. April 6, 2020.  The Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation, in partnership with Alliance Healthcare Foundation, California Wellness Foundation, and The Center at Sierra Health Foundation is launching an immediate COVID-19 Response Fund for nonprofit organizations that primarily serve Imperial County. Non-profit organizations are able to apply for a one-time grant ranging from $5,000 – $50,000.

Funds will support efforts related to food insecurity, basic supplies, rental, mortgage and utility assistance, and other emergency needs for communities and families impacted by unemployment and economic hardship due to the global pandemic.

To qualify for the Imperial County COVID-19 Response Fund, your organization must:

• Serve vulnerable populations within Imperial County, especially those disproportionately impacted by unemployment and other economic hardship during COVID-19
• Be a 501(c)(3) or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor
• Organization must have a meaningful presence in Imperial County

“Supporting our community during this crisis is of vital importance to us. Through this COVID-19 Response Fund for Imperial County, IVWF aims to provide funding to organizations that provide critical services to the underserved populations in our community who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, and which demonstrate the ability and leadership to deliver high quality outcomes in the face of this serious challenge,” stated Cathy Kennerson, Chair, Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation. 

 

“We are grateful to the California Wellness Foundation and the Sierra Health Foundation who quickly joined our efforts to stand up this fund in partnership with IVWF, ” said Sarah Lyman, Executive Director for Alliance Healthcare Foundation. “If other funders are able and willing to donate to this critical effort, please contact us.”

 

Imperial County COVID-19 Grant Application Schedule
Open: April 7, 2020 (8:00am PST)
Decisions: As received. First-come, first-served basis
Grant Disbursements: Generally within two weeks of approval while funds last (funding is limited; apply early).
Apply here

##########About Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation. Recognizing a need for more local funding to support promising health initiatives, a group of Imperial Valley civic leaders joined forces to create the Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation (IVWF). IVWF is a tax-exempt public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code formed to advance the health and wellness of vulnerable populations in Imperial County. The San Diego-based Alliance Healthcare Foundation, nationally recognized for its innovative health and wellness initiatives, has offered a $7.5 million matching grant to endow IVWF and has provided other direct funding to support start-up operations and initial grant making. Wholly independent from Alliance Healthcare Foundation and locally governed by its own board of trustees, the new Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation is raising an additional $17.5 million through a national capital campaign to create a $25 million endowment that will fund local programs and activities in perpetuity. Visit www.ivwf.org.

IVWF has identified three crucial areas for action in alignment with the Imperial County’s Community Health Assessment & Community Health Improvement Plan:

Health – Healthy Eating, Active Living

• Consumption of affordable, accessible, and nutritious foods
• Engagement in affordable opportunities for physical activity
• Achieving and maintaining healthy weight levels

Prevention – Linked with High Quality Healthcare

• Asthma detection, management, and education
• Prenatal Care – early and adequate
• Diabetes detection, management, and education

Safety – Communities and Living Environments

• Improving air quality
• Drug abuse prevention
• Linking family members, caregivers, and persons living with dementia across systems of care and support

IVWF Board of Trustees (12/17/2019)

• Cathy Kennerson, Chair of the Board; Chief Strategic Officer, El Centro Regional Medical Center
• Anne Irigoyen, Vice Chair; Chief Operating Officer, Ametza, LLC
• Tim Kelley, Secretary; President & CEO, Imperial Valley Economic Development Corp
• Alex Cardenas, Executive Director, CASA Imperial County
• Sara Griffen, Executive Director, Imperial Valley Food Bank
• Jeff Hester, Retired Banker
• Jaime Honold, President, Burgers & Beer Restaurants
• Dr. Helina Hoyt, Nursing Program Coordinator, School of Nursing, SDSU Imperial Valley
• Stephen Jaime, Clinical Nurse Specialist of Diabetes Education, El Centro Regional Medical Center
• Jose Landeros, Vice President, David H. West Insurance
• Dennis Morita, Attorney, Morita Law
• Allen Tyler, Manager, Gallagher Insurance
• Victor Jaime, Interim CEO, Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation

AHF Media contact:
Karen Winston, Communications Director, Alliance Healthcare Foundation
P 858-348-6472 E karen.winston@alliancehf.org