Ten days ago we launched the Brooklyn COVID-19 Response Fund, anticipating the immense needs of our communities as the number of cases rose across our city. Today, thanks to the inspiring generosity of our donors, we are announcing the first grants from the Fund. We plan to continue to deploy new resources each week going forward.

In the short time since the Fund’s launch, Brooklyn has become the center of the crisis, with the most cases of any county in the nation.

These extraordinary times demand an extraordinary response. We hope that you will join us in pledging your support. 100% of your donation will go directly to helping our most vulnerable neighbors.

As this crisis grows, we remain committed to leading with our values, focusing on local nonprofits serving the hardest hit by the pandemic’s social, economic, and health impacts. Read more about our approach to emergency funding.

Our first grantees are rapidly responding by providing new methods of getting food to low-income residents, advocating to protect the health and rights of people exposed to the virus while in detention, providing support to newly unemployed low-wage workers as well as delivery and warehouse workers who are facing increasing risks on the job, and much more: 

• The Campaign Against Hunger: For a shift in operations that will enable customers to “shop” for free groceries online and do “curbside” pick-up with enhanced safety measures right at the pantry.

• The Center for Anti-Violence Education: For an online Upstander workshop that teaches participants how to address bias incidents particularly against Asian communities.

• Equality for Flatbush: For the #BrooklynShowsLove Mutual Aid Project in Flatbush to connect neighbors to emergency funds for hourly wage workers such as dollar van drivers, home health aides and street vendors.

• Haitian-American Community Coalition: For virtual care technologies to provide continuity of care and client services for older adults, HIV-positive clients, and formerly homeless individuals

• Make the Road New York: To support newly unemployed low-wage workers as well as warehouse and delivery workers facing exposure, mandatory overtime, and demands to not call out sick.

• New Sanctuary Coalition: For a new Zoom pro se clinic for undocumented immigrants as well as a campaign among faith leaders to pressure ICE to release all detainees immediately.

• St John's Bread and Life: To provide food distribution via a pick-up model with a higher volume of shelf stable products and increased sanitation practices.

• VOCAL-NY: For vital hygiene and harm reduction services to people who are homeless and people who use drugs, as well as advocacy to reduce prison and jail populations, where people cannot protect themselves from the spread of disease. 

Want to Learn More? Join Us For a Call This Thursday: Our donors and supporters are invited to join our President and CEO Cecilia Clarke and VP of Programs and Partnerships Marcella Tillett for a call this Thursday, March 26th at 12:30PM to answer your questions and share how your contributions are funding vital efforts to curb the impacts of COVID-19 across the borough. 

While so much is uncertain, we are comforted by the fact that in times of crisis, Brooklynites unite to help our neighbors in need.

Please consider making a donation today—or pledge a monthly recurring donation— to support organizations that are lifelines throughout our borough.