ROCKFORD – United Way of Rock River Valley (UWRRV) in collaboration with the 815 Community Response Team, has awarded nearly $250,000 in the second round of grants from its COVID-19 Emerging Needs Fund to 27 non-profit organizations in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago Counties. 

United Way of Rock River Valley distributed $250,000 in this second round thanks to contributions from local companies, organizations, foundations and individuals who have generously donated to its COVID-19 Emerging Needs Fund. The quick response from the community has allowed United Way and the 815 Community Response Team to get funds to local agencies quickly and efficiently. 

“We established the COVID-19 Emerging Needs Fund in late March with an anonymous $10,000 donation and it has quickly grown to more than $550,000 thanks to the generosity of our community,” said Paul Logli, United Way of Rock River Valley president and CEO. “From our beginning 100 years ago, we’ve been able to meet the critical needs of our region because of the community support. We’ve received individual donations from $10 to $10,000 and every amount makes a tremendous impact.” 

Ogle County recipients

Chana Education Center, $1,500, purchase 30 food gift cards for at-risk students;

Farmwork & Landscape Advocacy Project, $17,000, provide crucial monetary support and information to low income Latino families in Ogle and Winnebago counties who are experiencing financial hardships;

Immanuel Lutheran Good Samaritan Food Pantry, $500, purchase items for food pantry;

Rochelle Christian Food Pantry, $5,000, purchase items for food pantry;

Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center, $10,000, grant will be used for mental health services and forensic medical exams for child abuse victims.

Grant applications were vetted and chosen by the 815 Community Response Team Grant Making Committee, which is made up of representatives from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, the Kjellstrom Foundation, the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence and United Way of Rock River Valley and is part of the larger 815 Community Response Team, which also includes Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Transform Rockford and the Workforce Connection.  

Priorities for funding include but are but are not limited to: 

• Housing
• Utility and Rent Assistance
• Medical Assistance
• Prescription Assistance
• Basic Necessities
• Childcare
• Food
• Transportation
• Resources for Human Service Organizations as they respond to their clients’ needs.

In order to be eligible for a grant allocation from the United Way COVID-19 Emerging Needs Fund, nonprofit agencies must: 

• Be a 501(c)(3) Organization
• Be in operation and providing human services in Boone, Winnebago, Ogle or Stephenson counties for at least three years
• Have an active, local Board of Directors comprised of nonpaid volunteers who meet at least quarterly
• Maintain an annual operating budget
• Agree to the Emerging Needs Fund Memorandum of Understandingand comply in a timely manner to a request for information.