FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RECESSION RESPONSE FUND

There's no doubt that the recession is hitting everyone - WNC is experiencing a flood of job losses, and we are beginning to see signs that the economic downturn is hitting the region harder than the rest of the state.  In fact, North Carolina is being hit harder than the rest of the country.  According to The Wall Street Journal (Saturday/Sunday, January 10/11, 2009), The Tar Heel State lost a bigger percentage of jobs than any other state from November 2007 to November 2008, shedding 72,400 positions and resulting in an unemployment rate of 7.9%, the highest in the state in 26 years.

The Community Foundation is responding by building the Recession Response Fund, which will support nonprofits throughout our mountain region and the important services they provide, including food, shelter, medical services, heating subsidies and economic stimulus.

1. What is the likely impact of the recession on our community?

Unemployment and community needs have increased over the past year.  At the same time, individuals are giving less to nonprofits.  We know that the recession is already impacting the nonprofits in our region that help those most in need.  More than 100,000 nonprofit groups nationwide will fail with the next two years, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy (November 27, 2008).

2. What is The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina doing to address the effects of the recession? 

The goal of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina during the recession is to sustain, as much as possible, the critical network of nonprofits that support and enrich our mountain communities and to help agencies meet increasing demands.  By supporting the nonprofits that are feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and providing other essential needs, we can continue our core mission of promoting philanthropy and addressing the changing needs of our region.

3. How will The Community Foundation do this?

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina is redrafting its grant programs.  Instead of our Spring Opportunity and Strategy grant cycle, we'll be focusing our resources on the Recession Response Fund. 

4. What types of grants will The Community Foundation make from the Recession Response Fund?

We are working as quickly as possible to define the parameters of the grant program, but feel confident that the funds will be used to help maintain essential services such as food, shelter, medical services, heating subsidies and economic stimulus. Grant funds will be available for expenses, including operating costs, of key nonprofits.

5. How can nonprofits apply to the Recession Response Fund?

We are consulting local United Ways, CFWNC affiliates, county-based Community Foundations, private foundations and other funders to assess needs and resources available in our 18-county region. We are working with our funding partners to determine the criteria for accessing Recession Response Funds. Details of the program will be available on the website in early February.

6. How can I help?

There are many ways that you can help our community during this turbulent time.  Consider donating your time or money to your favorite nonprofit.  If you'd like to support our Recession Response Fund, you can support us online.  The Community Foundation encourages you to give back in the way that feels right for you.  If you'd like to open a fund, contact Sheryl Aikman at (828) 254-4960 or aikman@cfwnc.org.  Contact Becky Davis at (828) 254-4960, or email bdavis@cfwnc.org if you have a fund and want help in making a grant to the Recession Response Fund or identifying a nonprofit that you want to support.

7. What about other CFWNC programs?

• Women for Women grant guidelines have been revised to provide both program funding and operating support for programs that serve the critical needs of women and girls. Approximately 6-10 smaller grants of an average of $50K will be made instead of 2-3 larger grants.
• Other grants - Changes to CFWNC grant programs will be updated on the CFWNC website.
• WNC Nonprofit Pathways to offer Workshops, Assessments and Training to Assist Nonprofits during the Recession