Rapid Response Fund is sponsored by Greater Rochester Health Foundation. This fund provides short-term relief grants to help nonprofits continue their work in the face of immediate federal funding disruptions.

Rapid Response Fund - Greater Rochester Health Foundation Our region’s nonprofit community is facing unprecedented challenges, from funding cuts to sudden contract cancellations. The Rapid Response Fund provides urgent, short-term relief grants to help organizations navigate these disruptions and continue offering essential services.

This fund is dedicated to addressing immediate needs and ensuring the resilience of nonprofits serving our most vulnerable populations. Supporting Our Nonprofit Partners in Times of Crisis Many of our nonprofit partners are facing an unprecedented wave of funding challenges that threaten their ability to provide essential services.

At Greater Rochester Health Foundation, we recognize the urgent need to respond and we’re stepping forward with a Rapid Response Fund to help nonprofits navigate these difficult times. The nonprofit sector is facing drastic funding cuts. These cuts are often sudden, causing disruptions, program cancellations, and concerns about staffing.

Without quick action, these challenges could have long-term consequences for the health and wellbeing of our community. Our Rapid Response Fund is designed to provide short-term financial relief to organizations dealing with the immediate effects of state or federal funding reductions.

Our goal is to support essential community services by providing the resources for program transitions and organizational planning, ensuring nonprofits can continue their vital work. The Rapid Response Fund is not intended to sustain programs impacted by long-term funding cuts or support planned or known funding reductions from state or federal sources.

This fund will help cover: Transition planning for organizations experiencing funding reductions or cuts Costs related to service discontinuation or workforce reductions Strategic litigation or community defense efforts Transitioning clients to new providers or services Costs associated with nonprofit mergers and collaborations to sustain programs Eligibility, Process, & Stewardship Must have received recent funding (grant/sponsorship/donation) from the Health Foundation (2022 – present) Must have been in operation for at least three years Must be a tax-exempt 501c(3) nonprofit within our service area (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates counties) Must have received formal notification of re cent loss of federal or state funding Focused on addressing sudden disruptions that impact essential community needs, such as health, wellness, safety, and a sense of belonging Requests will be thoughtfully reviewed, and we will respond swiftly in this urgent time Funding Parameters and Timeline: Timeline: Funding can be used for 1 to 6 months, with possible extensions based on the needs of the applicant Awards: Up to $75,000 , based on demonstrated need and proposed activities Response Time: We aim to notify applicants within 5 business days of submission *due to the holidays, response times may be delayed.

Financial Review: Current financial information will be requested as part of the application process (most recent 990, organizational budget, proof of loss) The Health Foundation will continue to monitor the use of the Rapid Response Fund and assess emerging community needs.

Each request will be reviewed by an internal team—including program and finance staff—with input from key community leaders and other funders to ensure resources are being used efficiently and effectively. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis; however, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Required documentation includes current financial information (most recent 990, organizational budget, proof of loss). To review eligibility criteria, funding uses, additional application requirements, and what to expect from the review process, access our Rapid Response Fund Guidance document HERE . Click on the button below to access the application form within our grant management portal, Submittable.

(Click HERE for instructions on how to create an account in Submittable). As we work together to navigate these challenges, the Health Foundation remains committed to standing alongside the nonprofits and organizations that are essential to the wellbeing of our communities. We look forward to supporting your work through this crucial initiative!

Please reach out to us directly at rapidresponse@thegrhf. org with any questions or for additional information. We are here to help.

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