When COVID-19 struck in March 2020, Greater Toledo Community Foundation (GTCF) sprang into action to support the most vulnerable in the Toledo/Lucas County community.

“It’s in times like this that Greater Toledo Community Foundation does its best work,” said Keith Burwell, GTCF president. “We’re uniquely qualified to help in times of crisis.”

In a short period of time, between March 31 and June 29, GTCF acted quickly to help local nonprofits as they assisted in responding to the spread of COVID-19 in the community and experienced financial challenges in doing so.

“The Foundation is pleased that we were able to immediately help fill ‘the gap’ in funding for basic human needs of some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community,” Burwell said.

When the pandemic engulfed our community and nonprofit organizations, GTCF created the COVID-19 Response Fund. More than $509,000 has been distributed to help 65 organizations meet the challenges of the pandemic head-on. The Foundation then created a Community Resilience Fund, seeded with $200,000, to help nonprofits continue their missions as they navigate new ways to meet community needs. And GTCF has also established a multi-year Equity & Access Initiative, led by some of this community’s most forward thinkers, to proactively address the concerns raised by communities disproportionately impacted by inequity and lack of access in the Greater Toledo area.

GTCF can’t do this alone. It is fortunate to have some of this area’s most committed individuals, families, organizations and businesses that have created funds that meet our community’s needs no matter how unprecedented or challenging they are. 

Toledo and Lucas County residents benefit in countless ways every day from the incredible work being done by GTCF.  This is confirmed in a recent Economic Impact Study conducted by The University of Toledo’s Department of Economics – which report can be found here.  A vital part of the community since 1973, GTCF has been building a permanent endowment with individual funds to support community needs in areas such as social services, the arts, education, neighborhood and urban affairs, natural resources, and physical and mental health – and it’s because of the generous citizens who have created endowed funds that GTCF can respond in a meaningful and expeditious way.

What makes Greater Toledo Community Foundation special? Here are just a few reasons:

• GTCF can raise and mobilize funds quickly because of its endowments and the trust placed in them by donors.
• With a reputation as a dependable convener and partner, GTCF can leverage its donor funds with other organizations, foundations and resources, thus achieving a bigger impact with their grantmaking.
• GTCF possesses local expertise and strong relationships with local nonprofits, so they’re able to identify and direct resources to address the community’s most pressing needs efficiently.
• GTCF focuses on both long-and short-term needs. It provides immediate relief, but it also provides ongoing support to recover, rebuild and plan for the future.

By supporting Greater Toledo Community Foundation, you can experience the joy of giving and make a difference in the lives of the people living in your community. With several fund options, you can create your own or donate to an existing fund that supports your interests. To learn how to establish a fund, visit www.toledocf.org, call 419-241-5049, or email toledocf@toledocf.org.

First Published November 5, 2020, 5:00 a.m.