As the oldest and largest public foundation in Macomb or St. Clair Counties, the Community Foundation of St. Clair County has created the COVID-19 Thumbcoast Regional Response Fund to temporarily hold charitable gifts from local residents, businesses and organizations.

The fund was kicked off with a very nice $10,000 gift from Eastern Michigan Bank. Our friends from DTE Energy Foundation also generously supported the fund with a grant of $25,000. Then we have our amazing local donors, the Kusch Family Fund and an anonymous donor advised fund at the Community Foundation, that have contributed to our efforts alongside other community members. We’ll continue to grow the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund to have as much local impact as possible.

“The Community Foundation is a trusted place for giving and we want to be able to provide the public a safe place to make a donation and assure that 100 percent of funds raised are used locally in response to coronavirus,” said Randa Jundi-Samman, board chair of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.

Any gifts made to the fund will support local nonprofit organizations, schools and appropriate units of local government who are on the front lines of helping our region manage this evolving crisis.

Jundi-Samman added that the coronavirus outbreak is still in its early stages in our region, and there is tremendous uncertainty over how the virus will impact our community now and in the weeks and months that follow. 

This Fund is designed to give added support to those organizations on the front lines of caring for and assisting vulnerable populations, and those communities where the loss of jobs and benefits, or the closure of institutions and businesses, are creating a significant new burden for community members and the social service organizations that provide a safety net for them.

“We are committed to ensuring that Community Foundation donors, grantees and community partners can work together to care for our most vulnerable neighbors during a time of great uncertainty,” Jundi-Samman said. 

One hundred percent of all funds will be distributed for coronavirus relief with no administrative fees. Funds will be released on a rolling basis throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis.

The Community Foundation believes coordination is vital in getting critical resources to our local communities most impacted by the virus. We are grateful to our community leaders, partners, and nonprofits who are working quickly and collectively to support those most impacted by this pandemic.

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