NEWS

This holiday season brings great hope with the distribution of the COVID vaccine. And while vaccinations are a bright light helping lead our community back to normalcy, many of our neighbors and local residents are hurting, now more than ever, as the economic impact of COVID labors on and earlier rounds of government and philanthropic relief dwindle. Eviction protections expire at the end of this month, and the ability to pay both current rent plus any back rent owed is a heavy lift for many, adding to real risk of increased homelessness.

As expressed recently by a leader at the Ada Jenkins Center: “Without grant funding for January and February, we will not have a safety net for the vast majority of the people we serve.”

The Davidson Community Foundation (DCF) is responding by launching its third round of Emergency Funds with grants to local community non-profits for direct support of area residents in need. DCF aims to make grant distributions in mid-January.

“The community needs are acute and worrisome with so many of our neighbors right on the edge”, said John Kuykendall, DCF Board member, adding, “the Foundation is committed to doing what we can to help – the key is we need to respond quickly and we need the community’s support.”

Earlier this year, the Davidson Community Foundation granted $235,000 to nine local non-profit agencies and houses of worship to help with direct support to 167 local families (600 individuals). In a coordinated effort among the local organizations, families were given emergency assistance from DCF for rent, food, utilities, medical expenses and transportation costs.

DCF, an all-volunteer organization, is led by a Board of Advisors and is affiliated as a field of interest fund with Foundation For The Carolinas. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at www.fftc.org/Davidson, or by sending a check payable to Foundation For The Carolinas, ATTN: Davidson Community Foundation (Fund 3749), 220 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. Donations of appreciated stock are encouraged.  For questions or additional information go to their website or contact Dave Cable (704-577-2004 or his email) or Ellen Donaldson (973-476-2026 or her email.)

About Davidson Community Foundation

Davidson Community Foundation’s mission is to enhance the lives of Davidson residents, now and for generations, by working with local leaders and donors to build and distribute a community fund to address Davidson’s most pressing needs. This citizen-driven initiative is designed to substantially expand local philanthropy and direct it to where it’s most needed. The Fund provides both transformative grants to local non-profit organizations to address long-term, high-impact needs, as well as pressing needs through the DCF Emergency Fund. Through grants to local, non-profit charitable organizations, the Emergency Fund will augment the ability of the Davidson community to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.