The Peru Gazette

LAKE PLACID, NY – In response to the impacts of COVID-19 in our region, Adirondack Foundation, in partnership with the United Way of the Adirondack Region. and other foundations and businesses, is activating a response fund to rapidly deploy flexible resources to help meet urgent community needs.

An initial $400,000 is available to use immediately, thanks to commitments from Adirondack Foundation, Cloudsplitter Foundation, Charles R. Wood Foundation, United Way of the Adirondack Region, Adirondack Energy’s Adirondack for Kids, Champlain National Bank and other generous donors.

The Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) Fund at Adirondack Foundation provides a way for community members to financially support vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19-related closures and other cascading fallouts.

Grant funding will focus these critical areas of need: access to food, childcare services, support for low-wage workers and the elderly, and support for nonprofits and small businesses involved in response efforts.

“We have been monitoring the rapidly changing situation on the ground and collaborating with local government, health agencies, nonprofits, businesses and other community partners to identify regional needs for community and nonprofit support,” said John Bernardi, President & CEO, United Way of the Adirondack Region.

“This collective commitment of funders is a testament to our dedication to the Adirondack region and a recognition that we can amplify our impact by working together,” said Cali Brooks, President and CEO, Adirondack Foundation. “We will work to rapidly deploy resources where they are most needed and adapt to evolving needs.”

“We may not know what tomorrow will bring, but it’s vitally important to be prepared to meet the immediate needs of our neighbors. Our goal is to help Adirondack Foundation meet these emergency needs while we work on longer-term mechanisms to counteract this pandemic and its economic and social implications,” said Lee Keet, Chairman of Cloudsplitter Foundation.

Community members interested in donating to this fund can find more information online: 

https://www.adirondackfoundation.org/funds/special-and-urgent-needs-fund. Nonprofits, schools, and communities in the Adirondack region interested in applying for emergency funds can learn more https://www.adirondackfoundation.org/granting/special-and-urgent-needs-fund-sun.