(Illustration by Kyle Mueller via Unsplash)

With the help of a $40,000 donation from PESI Inc., the Quick Response Community Fund is well on the way to its second-phase goal of raising $225,000 for nonprofits serving people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The fund was established in the early days of the pandemic by the Eau Claire Community Foundation and the United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley. In Phase I, $274,000 was raised and given to 42 Chippewa Valley nonprofits, including Bolton Refuge House, the Family Resource Center, L.E. Phillips Senior Center, and Hope Gospel Mission.

Phase II began this month with a matching grant challenge by Royal Credit Union, the Dick and Marlene Cable Family Fund, the Larson Family Fund, and two anonymous donors. A donation of $25,000 from Charter Bank was doubled as a result of the matching grant. Including the gifts from PESI and Charter Bank, Phase II has raised more than $160,000, said Sue Bornick, executive director of the Eau Claire Community Foundation.

Learn more about the Quick Response Community Fund and how you can contribute toward it at eccfwi.org.

Here’s the full press release announcing the donation:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE • May 13, 2020

PESI, Inc. Donates $40,000 to Quick Response Community Fund

[EAU CLAIRE, WI] PESI, Inc. is helping to jumpstart the second phase of granting from the Quick Response Community Fund with a $40,000 donation.

In Phase 1, the Quick Response Community Fund, established by the Eau Claire Community Foundation and United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley, supported Eau Claire area nonprofits that serve community members suffering due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It also addressed urgent operational needs caused by the pandemic. Phase 2 will continue supporting local nonprofits in their service to community members impacted by the ongoing crisis.

“As a company, we feel that giving back to our community is important,” stated Mike Conner, PESI’s Executive Director. “These are unprecedented times, and we need to pull together as a community to begin the building and healing from this economic crisis.”  

Phase 1 of the Quick Response grant cycle distributed $274,491 to 42 Eau Claire area nonprofits. For a complete list of grantees, visit the News Tab of the Eau Claire Community Foundation’s website.

In addition to PESI’s generous gift, Phase 2 is being supported by a matching campaign whose goal was exceeded thanks to a large donation from Charter Bank.

Additional gifts to the Quick Response Community Fund are always appreciated. Because the Eau Claire Community Foundation is covering administrative fees, 100% of donations will support local nonprofits. If you would like to make a gift, please visit www.eccfwi.org.