In true Northern Kentucky spirit, Horizon Community Funds has been able to raise $2.1 million in a matter of months, and has distributed more than $500,000 of that directly back into the community, for nonprofits facing crises due to the arrival and spread of COVID-19.
For this week’s feature, Horizon Community Funds would like to take a moment to provide a recap on how donors have made a real impact through gifts to the Horizon NKY Coronavirus Relief Fund and the two additional funds that were generated in response to new and increasing needs in Northern Kentucky.
Below is a breakdown of fund distribution so far:
• Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky, $200,000
• Be Concerned, $160,000
• Life Learning Center, $50,000
• Faith Community Pharmacy, $35,000
• NKY Digital Equity Initiative for Students, $34,500
• Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank, $30,000
• Esperanza Center, $15,000
• Learning Grove, $6,000
• St. Vincent de Paul – Northern Kentucky, $4,500
These grants have also made their way to more than 60 additional nonprofits through goods and other resources from the directly funded nonprofits.
As an early, conservative estimate, these grants have supported more than 11,000 Northern Kentuckians by providing:
- Prepared meals
- Canned and frozen foods
- Cleaning and hygiene products
- Rent, utilities and other emergency assistance
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Critical internet access for student learning
The Fund has raised more than $2 million to date through gifts and partnerships of all sizes, including generous support from The Butler Foundation and The R.C. Durr Foundation, and corporate citizens, including Fischer Homes and Drees Homes Foundation, First Financial Bank, and other individuals.
While we know the community is starting to open its doors, our careful eye on the landscape of nonprofits has shown us that needs will come in waves of varying severity for a time to come.
Please consider your gift to the Horizon NKY Coronavirus Relief Fund:
• Text “NKYRELIEF” to 44-321
• Visit www.horizonfunds.org
• Mail a check made payable to Horizon Community Funds (memo: NKY Coronavirus Relief
Fund): 50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 430, Covington, KY 41011
The continued partnership between Horizon Community Funds and St. Elizabeth Healthcare also introduced the St. Elizabeth Associate Crisis Support Fund, which offers financial assistance to St. Elizabeth associates during times of unexpected personal need. The fund, which “helps the helpers” who serve Northern Kentucky’s premier healthcare system, raised more than $250,000.
Additionally, the NKY Restaurant Relief Fund, a joint project of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Northern Kentucky Tri-ED and Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky, launched on April 8 and awarded $1,000 grants to 47 restaurants in Northern Kentucky. The fund was established to assist local restaurants and bars forced to temporarily cease in-person dining because of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic.
The NKY Restaurant Relief Fund was originally slated to be a two-week program to award $1,000 grants to 20 establishments but was expanded and 47 restaurants received grants thanks to the generosity of donors. Donors to the fund included the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, Julie Kirkpatrick, the Dave and Cindy Knox Family Fund, Main Street
Ventures, Marilyn Scripps, Urban Sites, and Woods Hardware/ACME Lock, all of whom came together to support Northern Kentucky businesses.
Combined with almost $44,500 in gift card/gift certificate receipts uploaded to the fund’s website from supporters across the region, the NKY Restaurant Relief Fund effort made a total economic impact of $91,500, all of which went directly to more than 120 local bars and restaurants.