The COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund

The Morgan Hill Community Foundation (MHCF) is continuing to accept applications for grants in support of local COVID-19 related relief efforts. New grant applications received will be reviewed periodically for awards expected to be issued on a monthly basis. All non-profit organizations providing local relief to address needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to apply, regardless if they have received or been denied a grant previously.
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MHCF’s COVID-19 Disaster Relief Program is an ongoing fundraising and grants program, with no firm deadline for submitting grant applications. Grant applications are periodically reviewed by our community advisory committee as funds become available. To date, MHCF has completed four grant cycles totaling over $100,000 in 21 awarded grants supporting 14 Morgan Hill area non-profits.
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In order for your non-profit organization to be considered for a COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund Grant, please read the instructions below in their entirety, complete and submit the application. 
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Examples of Needs That May Be Addressed As Appropriate:
Non-profits may apply to fund a current project already underway, or to fund a newly created project. Project proposals must provide services or support specifically addressing needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Awarded grant amounts may be for a portion or all of the requested amount, and non-profits are eligible to re-apply multiple times for future disbursement rounds.
  • Meals for homebound seniors or people with underlying medical conditions which put them at considerably higher risk of contracting COVID-19
  • Emergency rent, mortgage, or daily living (bills-utilities-medical expense) payments for those suffering severe financial hardship from the pandemic
  • Food, clothing, or other essential supplies for those suffering severe financial hardship from the pandemic
  • Support to local small businesses who do not qualify for, or have been denied, other support
  • Service-related needs for the disabled that suffer hardships from the pandemic
  • Low-income families and individuals that suffer hardships from the pandemic
  • Educational or Learning Arts services for those impacted by the COVID-19 Shelter in Place State Order or similar governmental orders
  • Services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse, or severe family dysfunction as a result of COVID-19
  • Other community needs as may be determined
​Grant Award Decision Criteria:
To be eligible for a grant, organizations must be a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is serving the Morgan Hill Community. In your application you should address and highlight how your organization meets these criteria:
  • Whether the proposed use of funds addresses the most pressing community needs when compared with other proposed uses of the funds.
  • The non-profit’s apparent operational skill and capability to effectively address the community need
  • The non-profit’s administrative capability and process in place to properly and ethically manage the proposed use of the funds, including identifying and delivering appropriate aid, vetting applicants, and tracking and verifying the use of funds
  • The non-profit’s proven track record of helpful local community service
  • Such other criteria as experience or need dictate, to be determined by MHCF board of directors with guidance or recommendation from the Community Advisory Committee
Grantee Exclusions:
  • Individuals, except if incidental and necessary to deliver a qualifying community benefit
  • Private foundations, endowment funds
  • Groups or projects that discriminate against any class of persons based on age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, physical or mental disabilities, race, color, religion, national origin, or ancestry
  • Political parties, candidates or partisan groups; or
  • Groups or projects whose missions otherwise fall outside the intent or permissible scope of the Charter or Bylaws of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation or Disaster Relief Fund Charter
Grant Review and Award Process:
All non-profit grant applications with proposed projects will be reviewed, will receive a prompt response, and may be approved to be eligible to receive grants from the fund.  The amount of any grant will be determined by the MHCF board of directors, with advice of the Community Advisory Committee, and based upon funds available and determinations of priority of need in, and benefit to, the greater community.

There may be multiple grant award cycles based on continued community need and availability of funds. Non-profits who have submitted an application and have been approved are eligible to submit additional applications for the same project, or a new project proposal.
View All
Examples of Needs that May Be Addressed as Appropriate:
  • Meals for homebound seniors or people with underlying medical conditions which put them at considerably higher risk of contracting COVID-19
  • Medical or other necessary supplies for those servicing increasing volumes of sick people directly affected by COVID-19
  • Emergency rent, mortgage, or daily living (bills-utilities-medical expense) payments for those suffering severe financial hardship from the pandemic
  • Food, clothing, or other essential supplies for those suffering severe financial hardship from the pandemic
  • Existential hardship loans to local small businesses who do not qualify for, or have been denied, SBA loans
  • Service-related needs for the disabled that suffer hardships from the pandemic
  • Low income families and individuals that suffer hardships from the pandemic
  • Educational or Learning Arts services for those impacted by the COVID-19 Shelter in Place State Order or similar governmental orders
  • Services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse, or severe family dysfunction as a result of COVID-19
  • Other community needs as may be determined
Grant Award Decision Criteria: 
  • The availability of funds and whether the proposed use of funds addresses the most pressing community needs when compared with other proposed or contemplated uses of the funds
  • The non-profit’s apparent operational skill and capability to effectively address the community need
  • The non-profit’s administrative capability and process in place to properly and ethically manage the proposed use of the funds, including identifying and delivering appropriate aid, vetting applicants, and tracking and verifying the use of funds
  • The non-profit’s proven track record of helpful local community service
  • Such other criteria as experience or need dictate, to be determined by MHCF board of directors with guidance or recommendation from the Community Advisory Committee
Grantee Exclusions:
  • Individuals, except if incidental and necessary to deliver a qualifying community benefit
  • Private foundations, endowment funds
  • Groups or projects that discriminate against any class of persons based on age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, physical or mental disabilities, race, color, religion, national origin, or ancestry
  • Political parties, candidates or partisan groups; or
  • Groups or projects whose missions otherwise fall outside the intent or permissible scope of the Charter or Bylaws of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation or Disaster Relief Fund Charter
Grant Review and Award Process:
All non-profit grant applications with proposed projects will be reviewed, will receive a prompt response, and may be approved to be eligible to receive grants from the fund.  The amount of any grant will be determined by the MHCF board of directors, with advice of the Community Advisory Committee, and based upon funds available and determinations of priority of need in, and benefit to, the greater community. There may be multiple grant award cycles based on continued community need and availability of funds. Non-profits who have submitted an application and have been approved will not need to submit a whole new application to receive additional grants for the same project.

Additional Information on Applying for a COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund Grant

Project proposals should clearly identify specific needs in the community related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how their project will meet those needs. Project proposals must also clearly identify how awarded grant funds will be used to meet those needs.
​
Examples of Needs That May Be Addressed As Appropriate:
  • Meals for homebound seniors or people with underlying medical conditions which put them at considerably higher risk of contracting COVID-19
  • Medical or other necessary supplies for those servicing increasing volumes of sick people directly affected by COVID-19
  • Emergency rent, mortgage, or daily living (bills-utilities-medical expense) payments for those suffering severe financial hardship from the pandemic
  • Food, clothing, or other essential supplies for those suffering severe financial hardship from the pandemic
  • Existential hardship loans to local small businesses who do not qualify for, or have been denied, SBA loans
  • Service-related needs for the disabled that suffer hardships from the pandemic
  • Low income families and individuals that suffer hardships from the pandemic
  • Educational or Learning Arts services for those impacted by the COVID-19 Shelter in Place State Order or similar governmental orders
  • Services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse, or severe family dysfunction as a result of COVID-19
  • Other community needs as may be determined
​Grant Award Decision Criteria:
  • The availability of funds and whether the proposed use of funds addresses the most pressing community needs when compared with other proposed or contemplated uses of the funds
  • The non-profit’s apparent operational skill and capability to effectively address the community need
  • The non-profit’s administrative capability and process in place to properly and ethically manage the proposed use of the funds, including identifying and delivering appropriate aid, vetting applicants, and tracking and verifying the use of funds
  • The non-profit’s proven track record of helpful local community service
  • Such other criteria as experience or need dictate, to be determined by MHCF board of directors with guidance or recommendation from the Community Advisory Committee
Grantee Exclusions:
  • Individuals, except if incidental and necessary to deliver a qualifying community benefit
  • Private foundations, endowment funds
  • Groups or projects that discriminate against any class of persons based on age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, physical or mental disabilities, race, color, religion, national origin, or ancestry
  • Political parties, candidates or partisan groups; or
  • Groups or projects whose missions otherwise fall outside the intent or permissible scope of the Charter or Bylaws of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation or Disaster Relief Fund Charter
Grant Review and Award Process:
All non-profit grant applications with proposed projects will be reviewed, will receive a prompt response, and may be approved to be eligible to receive grants from the fund.  The amount of any grant will be determined by the MHCF board of directors, with advice of the Community Advisory Committee, and based upon funds available and determinations of priority of need in, and benefit to, the greater community. There may be multiple grant award cycles based on continued community need and availability of funds. Non-profits who have submitted an application and have been approved will not need to submit a whole new application to receive additional grants for the same project.
VIEW ALL:
​Examples of Needs that May Be Addressed as Appropriate:
  • Meals for homebound seniors or people with underlying medical conditions which put them at considerably higher risk of contracting COVID-19
  • Medical or other necessary supplies for those servicing increasing volumes of sick people directly affected by COVID-19
  • Emergency rent, mortgage, or daily living (bills-utilities-medical expense) payments for those suffering severe financial hardship from the pandemic
  • Food, clothing, or other essential supplies for those suffering severe financial hardship from the pandemic
  • Existential hardship loans to local small businesses who do not qualify for, or have been denied, SBA loans
  • Service-related needs for the disabled that suffer hardships from the pandemic
  • Low income families and individuals that suffer hardships from the pandemic
  • Educational or Learning Arts services for those impacted by the COVID-19 Shelter in Place State Order or similar governmental orders
  • Services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse, or severe family dysfunction as a result of COVID-19
  • Other community needs as may be determined
Grant Award Decision Criteria: ​
  • The availability of funds and whether the proposed use of funds addresses the most pressing community needs when compared with other proposed or contemplated uses of the funds
  • The non-profit’s apparent operational skill and capability to effectively address the community need
  • The non-profit’s administrative capability and process in place to properly and ethically manage the proposed use of the funds, including identifying and delivering appropriate aid, vetting applicants, and tracking and verifying the use of funds
  • The non-profit’s proven track record of helpful local community service
  • Such other criteria as experience or need dictate, to be determined by MHCF board of directors with guidance or recommendation from the Community Advisory Committee
Grantee Exclusions:
  • Individuals, except if incidental and necessary to deliver a qualifying community benefit
  • Private foundations, endowment funds
  • Groups or projects that discriminate against any class of persons based on age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, physical or mental disabilities, race, color, religion, national origin, or ancestry
  • Political parties, candidates or partisan groups; or
  • Groups or projects whose missions otherwise fall outside the intent or permissible scope of the Charter or Bylaws of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation or Disaster Relief Fund Charter
Grant Review and Award Process:
​All non-profit grant applications with proposed projects will be reviewed, will receive a prompt response, and may be approved to be eligible to receive grants from the fund.  The amount of any grant will be determined by the MHCF board of directors, with advice of the Community Advisory Committee, and based upon funds available and determinations of priority of need in, and benefit to, the greater community. There may be multiple grant award cycles based on continued community need and availability of funds. Non-profits who have submitted an application and have been approved will not need to submit a whole new application to receive additional grants for the same project.

For more information about the grants process, contact us.