As COVID-19 continues to spread in the United States, private foundations are stepping up with funding to meet the immediate needs of individuals and vulnerable populations impacted by the virus. Here's a roundup of grants from the last few days:

Akonadi Foundation, Oakland, CA | $1 Million

The Akonadi Foundation has announced that it will allocate $1 million from its endowment to make grants to people-of-color-led organizations and initiatives in Oakland responding to communities impacted by COVID-19. With the public health crisis highlighting racialized inequities nationwide, the foundation has re-launched its So Love Can Win Fund — originally launched in 2016 with the aim of seeding a vision of a safe, healed, and racially just Oakland — to provide one-time rapid response grants of up to $10,000 to meet emerging community demands and/or help organizations cover their revenue losses. 

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Agoura Hills, CA | $10 Million

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has announced grants totaling $10 million in support of efforts to protect the homeless population in Los Angeles from COVID-19 and help African countries prepare for an outbreak. Grants include $2.25 million to Brilliant Corners in support of a partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services; $500,000 to the California Community Foundation; $2.25 million to United Way of Greater Los Angeles; $500,000 to Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO); $3 million to the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa; and $1.5 million to UNICEF.

Maddie's Fund, Pleasanton, CA | $1 Million

Maddie's Fund has announced a $1 million commitment to help animal shelters and rescue organizations create, continue, and/or expand pet foster care programs. Grants of up to $20,000 will support telehealth services to meet veterinary needs for foster families via the Best Friends Vet Access program, as well as efforts to recruit foster caregivers for 911fosterpet.com's national database.

Marcus Foundation, Atlanta, GA | $2.1 Million

The Grady Health Foundation has announced a $2.1 million gift from the Marcus Foundation to fast-track a virus-related surge-capacity plan for Grady Health System. The funds will be used to secure up to fifty-two patient beds in preparation for a potential surge in COVID-19 admissions at the hospital, where more than two hundred beds remain offline following a flooding event in late 2019. 

James and Judith K. Dimon Foundation, Chicago, IL; Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation, New York, NY | $2 Million

The City University of New York has announced grants of $1 million each from the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation and James and Judith K. Dimon Foundation to launch the Chancellor's Emergency Relief Fund, which will distribute grants of $500 to thousands of students facing financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus crisis. In addition to the gifts from the two foundations, the fund has received more than $1.25 million from other donors, including Robin Hood ($500,000), JPMorgan Chase ($750,000), Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and the Jeffrey H. and Shari L. Aronson Family, Pinkerton, Solon E. Summerfield, and Harman Family foundations.

Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Chicago, IL | $3 Million 

The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation has announced grants totaling nearly $3 million in support of small arts and culture organizations. The foundation expedited $2 million in general support funds to its current arts grantees — a hundred and seventy-five in the Chicago region and forty in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. The foundation also contributed $200,000 to the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund; created an initial $100,000 Lowcountry Arts Emergency Fund; seeded a $200,000 relief fund for small organizations in both regions; and will continue its Cash Reserve Challenge, which offers arts groups the opportunity to receive up to $25,000 in matching funds to bolster their cash reserves.

Clara Lionel Foundation, Brooklyn, NY | $2.1 Million

Rihanna's Clara Lionel Foundation and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey have pledged $2.1 million each to the Mayors' Fund for Los Angeles in support of domestic violence victims at risk as a result of the city's stay-at-home order. The combined gift will provide ten weeks of support, including shelter, meals, and counseling for victims of domestic abuse and their children. The latest contribution from CLF brings its total support for COVID-19 response efforts to more than $8 million.

Rachael Ray Foundation, New York, NY | $4 Million

The Rachael Ray Foundation and Yum-o! Organization have pledged $4 million in support of COVID-19 relief in support of American families and their pets. Half the funds will support food and nutritional programs through partner organizations Feeding America, Share Our Strength, World Central Kitchen, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, City Harvest, Hunger Free America, Wholesome Wave, and Rethink Food; while the other half will go to animal welfare groups through the Rachael Ray Save Them All Grants COVID-19 Relief Program at Best Friends Animal Society.

Burton D. Morgan Foundation, Hudson, OH | $210,000

The Burton D. Morgan Foundation has announced grants totaling $210,000 in support of efforts to address the health and economic impacts precipitated by COVID-19 in Northeast Ohio. Recipients include the Akron Summit County COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund ($120,000), the Hebrew Free Loan Association ($50,000), and the Akron Community Foundation for the Community Response Fund for Nonprofits ($20,000).

Heinz Endowments, Pittsburgh, PA | $2.3 Million

The Heinz Endowments has announced a first round of emergency grants totaling more than $2.3 million to help nonprofits meet urgent needs in the Pittsburgh region. Recipients include the Pittsburgh Foundation, which was awarded $1 million to launch an Emergency Action Fund in collaboration with the Richard King Mellon and Hillman Family foundations; United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, which received $350,000 to double staffing for its helpline and assist families experiencing job losses and food insecurity; and ACTION-Housing, which was awarded $100,000 in support of additional staffing, the delivery of food and emergency supplies, and transportation.

(Photo credit: World Central Kitchen)