Phoenix Park Bridge in downtown Eau Claire.

Here’s some good news amid the dire headlines: The Quick Response Community Fund, established to rapidly assist Chippewa Valley nonprofits serving those most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, has given out $100,000 in grants to 19 local nonprofits this week. (And that’s on top of the $75,000 granted in the previous week!)

Here’s some even better news: Another $100,000 could be on the way soon, but your help is needed.

The Eau Claire Community Foundation and United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley, which created the Quick Response Fund after COVID-19 hit, announced Friday that Royal Credit Union, the Dick and Marlene Cable Family Fund, the Larson Family Fund, and two anonymous donors are funding a matching grant challenge: These generous entities will donate $50,000 to the Quick Response Fund if the rest of the community pitches in $50,000. The math is easy: Every dollar you give can attract another dollar up to a total of $100,000.

“The community response to the Quick Response Community Fund has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Sue Bornick, executive director of the Eau Claire Community Foundation. “Now is the time to come together and look out for the most vulnerable among us, and the Matching Grant Challenge is a perfect example.”

This week’s recipients who meet vital service needs in the community include:

• Bolton Refuge House: Emergency shelter needs for victims of abuse and for urgent operational needs.
• Chippewa Valley Health Clinic: Additional funding for medication and direct services for those recently unemployed.
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Foundation: Meal program for its residents.
• Hope Gospel Mission: Additional program staffing.
• HSHS Sacred Heart Foundation: To address the need for easily accessible COVID testing.
• L.E. Phillips Career Development Center: Expansion of their face mask program.
• Lutheran Social Services: Additional funding for Positive Avenues, which serves people experiencing mental health concerns or homelessness.
• School District of Altoona: Expands voucher program for eggs, milk, produce and meat for families in need.

Other organizations received urgent operational funding:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin
• Boys & Girls Club Greater Chippewa Valley – Mary Markquart Center
• Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity
• Eau Claire Children’s Theatre
• Eau Claire County Humane Association
• Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley
• Junior Achievement of WI Northwest Area
• Pablo Center at the Confluence
• Sculpture Tour Eau Claire
• United Cerebral Palsy of West Central WI
• UWEC Children’s Nature Academy

On top of all this, there’s another project brewing: According to the Eau Claire Community Foundation, “Lasker Jewelers is designing a bracelet in support of the Quick Response Community Fund and $20 will be donated to the fund for every bracelet purchased. More information about this initiative will be available soon.”

Organizations interested in applying for Quick Response grants can do so online at the Eau Claire Community Foundation website. And if you want to make a donation, you can do that online, too!