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By Chris Mathews – Reporter, Houston Business Journal
Apr 15, 2020, 12:56pm EDT
The Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund has made its first investment to assist the region's most vulnerable populations during the coronavirus pandemic.
The COVID-19 Recovery Fund, launched by the United Way of Greater Houston and the Greater Houston Community Foundation in late March, deployed over $1.5 million into 30 nonprofit partners to serve communities where residents need access to food and financial assistance, according to an April 15 news release.
"The 30 nonprofit organizations receiving this first round of grants are trusted partners who have strong track records of supporting our community in times of hardship and recovery," Stephen Maislin, president and CEO of the Greater Houston Community Foundation, said in the release. "They know Houston and how to best reach some of our most vulnerable populations."
The fund launched with two donations from the Houston Endowment, which gave a lead gift of $1 million and a challenge gift of up to $1 million that matched $1 for every $4 raised. By April 8, the fund had grown to $4.8 million. As of April 15, the fund has reached $7.4 million.
"The widespread impact of COVID-19 has created unprecedented need in our community and, while we know that no single recovery fund can address all the needs, our current focus is to help sustain and stabilize as many of the most vulnerable families as we can," Anna Babin, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Houston, said in the release.
Houston-based Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) contributed $1 million to the COVID-19 Recovery Fund and $500,000 to the Houston Food Bank, part of a greater $3 million donation to relief efforts across the U.S. and U.K., the company announced April 14.
Midstream giant Enbridge Inc. (NYSE: ENB), which has a major presence in Houston, donated $300,000 to the fund. Houston-based Motiva Enterprises Inc. and David and Bonnie Weekley, of Houston-based David Weekley Homes, each gave $250,000, while Deloitte and The Kroger Co. Foundation each gave $100,000, according to a United Way spokesperson.
The following local nonprofits received contributions from the COVID-19 Recovery Fund's first $1.5 million investment:
Baker Ripley: $75,000
Boat People SOS: $68,400
Chinese Community Center: $50,000
Crisis Assistance Center: $25,000
East Harris County Empowerment Council: $50,000
Easter Seals of Greater Houston Inc.: $50,000
Epiphany Community Health Outreach Services (ECHOS): $75,000
Fe y Justicia Worker Center Houston: $50,000
Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels and Much, Much More: $75,000
Humble Area Assistance Ministries: $75,000
Interfaith Caring Ministries Inc.: $50,000
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston: $37,500
Interfaith Woodlands: $50,000
Katy Christian Ministries: $75,000
Living Hope Wheelchair Association: $70,000
Meals on Wheels Montgomery County: $40,000
Memorial Assistance Ministries Inc.: $75,000
Ministry Assistance of the Near Northwest Alliance (MANNA): $30,000
Mission Northeast Inc.: $7,500
Montrose Counseling Center: $50,000
My Brother’s Keeper Outreach Center: $75,000
Northwest Assistance Ministries: $75,000
Second Mile Mission Center: $40,000
Tahirih Justice Center: $35,000
Target Hunger: $16,000
The Center for Pursuit: $35,000
The Salvation Army: $55,000
Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries Inc.: $37,500
Wesley Community Center Inc.: $25,000
West Houston Assistance Ministries Inc. (WHAM): $75,000