April 8, 2020
As needs of West Virginia citizens, nonprofits, and communities grow in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, West Virginia businesses and citizens are stepping up with bold acts of generosity.
This week the EQT Foundation has announced COVID-19 response grants to support West Virginia citizens and nonprofits in the communities where the company is located. The EQT Foundation is donating $160,000 to West Virginia communities with grants to the Mountaineer Food Bank and relief funds at the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, Parkersburg Area Community Foundation & Regional Affiliates, and Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia.
On announcing the grants EQT Foundation President Ellen Rossi said, “The EQT Foundation is pleased to alleviate the burdens of this pandemic on West Virginia’s citizens and nonprofits. Our commitment is to support the food bank and relief funds serving the communities of the state that we are working in.” She added, “Our partnership with the community foundations and Mountaineer Food Bank helps us deploy rapid response funds to numerous organizations serving those in need within the communities we serve in West Virginia.”
Each community foundation awarded support has activated emergency relief and response funds for their regions. The community foundations will distribute funds with their fast track grant request processes — 100% of the funds will go directly to the nonprofits and citizens in need.
YCF’s President Patty Showers Ryan shared, “The EQT Foundation has donated $50,000 to the Emergency Impact Fund at YCF. The gift will support nonprofits providing basic human needs across the five counties served by YCF. We are grateful to have partners like the EQT Foundation and applaud their generosity during this crisis.”
Other companies can support the relief funds, and details on each recognized credible relief fund in the state can be found on Philanthropy West Virginia’s website at: http://www.philanthropywv.org/covid-19-relief-funds/
The Mountaineer Food Bank which provides food and household items to over 450 feeding programs in 48 West Virginia counties has seen a dramatic increase in need. The demand for food and household needs is growing rapidly in the midst of the crisis from food pantries to mobile food deliveries to back pack programs. EQT Foundation’s grant will also be used for the food bank’s increased service needs due to COVID-19.
Donations from the EQT Foundation provide critical funds for numerous nonprofits across the state serving many West Virginians who are hurting. The need for support has increased significantly as many nonprofit fundraisers and events have been postponed due to the pandemic. Rossi added, “EQT Foundation is humbled to help out those who are doing life-saving work.”
For more information about the EQT Foundation, visit: www.eqt.com/community/eqt-foundation/
To make a donation to YCF’s Emergency Impact Fund or to apply for a grant visit: www.ycfwv.org