Our community stepped up and helped support those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Homer Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund supported nonprofits that provided critical services throughout the Southern Kenai Peninsula whose missions have been devastatingly impacted by the pandemic.

Except for a generous  $10,000  gift from the Rasmuson Foundation, the COVID Response fund was entirely funded by community donations. The community saw the need and opened their hearts generously responding to the needs of their neighbors. We are so grateful to the many local donors who made this fund possible. Thank you. Because of your heart for the community,  we could play our role by providing a responsive, local option to fill needs and support partner agencies in fulfilling their missions.

This fund helped organizations maintain operations and effectively respond to increased demand from clients.

Our response prioritized:

  • Providing human services and emergency assistance (for example, food, shelter, transportation, living expenses, rent/utility assistance, etc.)
  • Primarily serve vulnerable populations, including children who are out of school/families without childcare, people who have lost a source of income due to the pandemic, people who are at high risk medically, people who are homeless, veterans, and individuals who lack paid sick leave or health insurance, etc.

All donations went to agencies providing support for food, housing, and other needs of those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Updates

The Homer Foundation COVID-19 Response Committee has made the following grants for a total of $36,599 to date..

  • Alaska Coalition for Veterans and Military Families, $500
  • American Cancer Society, $2,500
  • Anchor Point Food Pantry $13,952
  • Anchor Point Senior Center, $4,200
  • Bunnell Street Arts Center, $2,500
  • Cook Inlet Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, $2,500
  • Haven House, $2,500
  • Homer Community Chest, $4,452
  • Homer Community Food Pantry, $7,301
  • Homer Council on the Arts, $2,500
  • Homer Farmers Market, $5,000
  • Homer High School, $2,500
  • Homer Senior Center, $4,750
  • Hospice of Homer, $799
  • Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic $2,500
  • Ninilchik Community Library, $2,500
  • Ninilchik Saturday Lunch Program, $4,452
  • Ninilchik Senior Center, $1,500
  • Voznesenka Community Council, $2,500
  • Wellspring Group of Seldovia, $2,500

The award amount of $2,500 was designed to allow for flexibility from the Foundation to meet changing community needs.

In addition, the foundation has made the following Quick Response grants from our other funds to answer to organizations with other needs heightened by the pandemic

  • Bunnell Street Arts Center, $2,500
  • Pratt Museum, $3,750
  • Friends of the Homer Public Library, $2,100
  • Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, $3,000
  • Pier One Theater, $2,500

For more information on the COVID-19 Response fund, you may read our article here.