The coronavirus outbreak is making it difficult for nonprofit organizations to serve in the usual capacity, but the Greater Toledo Community Foundation is stepping up to assist during the pandemic.

The GTCF has approved five rounds of grants totaling $330,000 and benefiting nearly 50 organizations since establishing the COVID-19 Response Fund March 18. With thousands of people suddenly without a paycheck, CEO Keith Burwell knew the organization had to act.

"We looked at the community in general and realized there would be a whole new set of individuals who would experience new trouble and difficulties," Mr. Burwell said. "Food, shelter, then unemployment kicks in. We're experiencing exactly why we have an endowment; that money is being used to trigger responses."

The GTCF has emergency preparedness plans in place and relied upon them during the Great Recession and during the 2014 water crisis. Those funds along with hundreds of thousands of dollars contributed from businesses and corporations are allowing the non-profits to help others.

Mr. Burwell said many area organizations that address needs such as hunger and shelter would not be able to continue servicing the community without the relief fund.

"Even before government money starts to flow, we can fill in that gap before the government actually gets it done," he said. "Without that resource, we would have people who would be trapped. Especially with how quick this came on. We didn't wiggle our way into it. It suddenly became apparent we had a crisis and a danger on our hands."

Mr. Burwell said the foundation is responding to requests from non-profits within about 10 days. His staff is working "morning, noon, and night" to process requests.

One of those requests came from the YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo. CEO Brad Toft said the organization received $7,500 to assist with a pair of projects.

"The first is we're providing child care for pandemic child care centers for families who have to work during this crisis," Mr. Toft said. "The way those operations are structured, staff ratios are reduced and procedures are in place to keep people safe. The other thing is grab-and-go feeding sites around the city."

Mr. Toft said his staff is also conducting wellness checks on about 2,000 seniors.

The Center of Hope and Family Services was awarded $7,828, which the organization is using to deliver meals to families in need. Executive Director Tracee Perryman said the center would not be able to serve as many families without the funding.

"Our intention was to address the gap because now families have children at home during the day, which is not normally the case," Ms. Perryman said. "Not every family has the transportation or means to pick up from the meal programs, so we will fill that gap. If you're at home with small children, bringing them out can also be a barrier."

Companies that donated to the relief fund include Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the Stranahan Foundation, KeyBank Foundation, DTE, The Andersons, and Block Communications — the parent company of The Blade.

Mr. Burwell said we're blessed to live in a giving community.

"Toledo doesn't have billionaires walking the streets," he said. "But we all pitch in and we're very giving with our time and money. That's a unique feature to Toledo. You don't see massive wealth like you do on Wall Street or a major city, but we have a community that gives back. We help each other."

Ms. Perryman agreed.

"The acts of kindness that I've seen have been a good consequence of this issue," she said. "There's more unity and kindness and I hope to see that continue."

First Published April 29, 2020, 1:00 p.m.