Coca-Cola Consolidated adds $1 million to COVID-19 Response Fund, raising overall total to more than $11 million
Fund launched by Foundation For The Carolinas and United Way of Central Carolinas supports local nonprofits that are assisting impacted residents
Coca-Cola Consolidated announced it is donating $1 million to the COVID-19 Response Fund, a community-wide effort to assist those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The donation, made through the Coca-Cola Consolidated Charitable Giving Fund, raised the fund total to $11 million in 10 days of fundraising.
Foundation For The Carolinas and United Way of Central Carolinas launched the fund on March 16 to support a range of nonprofit organizations assisting members of the community, particularly those most vulnerable. Donations have come from various sectors: corporations, local governments, individual philanthropists and foundations.
“Coca-Cola Consolidated stands with the community during these unprecedented times,” said Coca-Cola Consolidated CEO Frank Harrison. “It’s important we support the nonprofits helping the individuals who need it the most. We all know the effects of this pandemic stretch far beyond those who are sick, and the COVID-19 Response Fund will get assistance to those who need it.”
Community members are urged to donate at HelpCharMeck.org. Local agencies and nonprofits are already feeling the strain to deal with increased needs as the economy tightens, local unemployment rates increase, longer school cancellations cause disruptions and those without insurance face additional challenges getting the care they need.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of this community, and that continues today with the commitment of Frank Harrison and his terrific team at Coca-Cola Consolidated,” said Foundation For The Carolinas President and CEO Michael Marsicano. “Charlotte is fortunate to have such a compassionate and responsive corporate sector. We’ve seen tremendous acts of generosity throughout this campaign, and I cannot thank enough all who have given so far.”
Donations to the COVID-19 Response Fund have ranged from a two-dollar commitment from an anonymous online donor to $1 million gifts from LendingTree, the City of Charlotte, the Howard R. Levine Foundation, Truist Financial Corporation, Bank of America and Lowe’s Home Improvement, with the largest gift from Mecklenburg County totaling $1.3 million.
“Thanks to the generosity of these donors, we can help our nonprofits provide critical relief to thousands of residents already suffering from the impacts of this pandemic,” said United Way of Central Carolinas President and CEO Laura Yates Clark. “The organizations that work with our most vulnerable neighbors are taxed by increased demands due to COVID-19, while also dealing with the limitations this crisis presents. I am so grateful for Coca-Cola Consolidated and its generosity.”
The COVID-19 Response Fund is administered through a partnership between Foundation For The Carolinas and United Way of Central Carolinas, in close coordination with the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Grants are awarded by an advisory group of community members and will be open to any agency that meets the eligibility criteria. The advisory committee may elect to make grants directly to organizations based upon the urgency of the need or through a competitive grantmaking process.
Interested 501(c)3 nonprofits in Mecklenburg County can visit uwcentralcarolinas.org/grants/COVID for more information.
To contribute to the COVID-19 Response Fund, visit HelpCharMeck.org. Corporations and foundations that wish to make a donation may contact either Catherine Warfield, Senior Vice President of Philanthropic Advancement at FFTC, at 704.973.4515 or cwarfield@fftc.org; or Clint Hill, Chief Development Officer at United Way of Central Carolinas, at 704.371.6359 or chill@uwcentralcarolinas.org.
Source: UWCC News
Date: March 26, 2020