Covid-19 Rapid Response Funds
COVID-19 Coronavirus Regional Response Fund
This regional fund will provide flexible resources and focus on basic needs: housing/shelter, food, clothing, financial assistance (determined by need). A network of trusted and effective lead agencies are collaborating with their community-based partner organizations to meet the needs within each county.
Funds can be directed to specific counties. Undesignated funds will be distributed based on a calibration of needs (determined by input from local partners). Fund transfers will take place weekly once any designated county reaches a balance of $10,000 or more.
Go to ResourceCOVID-19: A Just East Bay Response Fund
Hosted by the East Bay Community Foundation, COVID-19: A Just East Bay Response Fund will rapidly deploy resources to organizations addressing the economic impact of the broader COVID-19 outbreak, including the immediate needs of communities and organizations affected by coronavirus-related closures. The Fund helps expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak as efficiently as possible. Organizations who work with the priority populations and would like to inquire about the Fund, email our Community Investment and Partnerships team at grantmaking@eastbaycf.org
Go to ResourcePhilanthropy California’s COVID-19 Funding Resource Page
Philanthropy California, comprised of Northern California Grantmakers, Southern California Grantmakers, and San Diego Grantmakers have created a resource portal coordinating with state agencies and partners to respond to the threat and potential impacts of COVID-19/Coronavirus. This list is updated daily.
Go to ResourceCity of Oakland : COVID-19 Relief Fund
The Oakland COVID-19 Relief Fund provides immediate grants to nonprofit organizations working on the frontlines. We are committed to a thoughtful, rapid, and transparent process to disburse the funds collected. The Fund will focus on four priority areas: food, homelessness, community health & education and economic security.
Go to ResourceThe Pollination Project COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund
We believe that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. With that in mind, our goals have been, and always will be, the same: to uplift and empower individuals to create change for a better world.
Accordingly, in response to COVID-19, we wish to support the helpers—those ordinary people who are doing extraordinary work to address the global challenge posed by the Coronavirus.
Go to ResourceAfrican American Rapid Response Circle – COVID-19 Response Fund
The focus of the African American Rapid Response Circle is to provide resources to vulnerable African American community members in Alameda County in the areas of education, housing and economic supports, health and well-being and grassroots communications and access to information. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis and decisions will be announced by the 15th of each month.
Go to ResourceOur Fund – Oakland Undocumented Relief Fund
OUR Fund is a relief fund for workers who live or work in Oakland, have lost their jobs or had their hours cut as a result of the Coronavirus and the shelter in place orders, andare ineligible for unemployment insurance and federal relief programs.
Go to ResourceGeneral Rapid Response Funds
San Francisco Rapid Response Fund for Movement Building
The Rapid Response Fund for Movement Building provides quick-turnaround funds to frontline social justice organizations that are strengthening the voice and power of low-income residents and people of color. The fund offers grassroots organizations small, one-time grants within 30 days of receiving a funding request.
Go to ResourceUrgent Action Fund Rapid Response Fund
Urgent Action Fund’s Rapid Response Grants support the resilience of women’s and trans* movements by providing flexible and responsive support to women’s and trans* human rights defenders who face immediate threats and by supporting advocacy when unanticipated opportunities emerge to set new legal or policy precedents.
Go to ResourceThe Emergent Fund
The Emergent Fund is a partnership between Solidaire Network, Women Donors Network, Threshold Foundation, and Democracy Alliance. Two types of efforts are supported by the fund: Efforts that support emergent strategies that help communities respond to rapidly changing conditions. This includes resisting new or amplified threats and building power to move a proactive agenda. Efforts seeking long-term social justice and economic justice in a political and social climate that seeks to dismantle such efforts.
Go to ResourceGroundswell Fund Rapid Response Fund
The Funding focuses on grassroots organizations led by women of color, trans people of color, and low-income women and trans people in critical, but unexpected fights to protect and advance reproductive and social justice. Applications are considered on a monthly cycle. Organizations must submit their request by the 15th of each month to be considered for that month. Organizations are notified about their grant request on or around the 25th of each month.
Go to ResourceCJI SOS Rapid Response Fund
Provides flexible and immediate funding to organizations responding to changing political landscapes and working to build collective power at critical junctures. SOS Grant ranges are between $2,500 to $5,000 (max). Ends on December 31, 2020.
Go to ResourceBay Area Racial Justice & Movement Building
San Francisco Foundation Faith Program 2020
The Foundation Alliance with Interfaith to Heal Society (FAITHS) — now a nationally recognized program — to enhance the work of faith-based organizations to organize and advocate for equitable policies and improve community services in their neighborhoods. NOTE: Applications will be accepted in the fall 2020
Go to ResourceThe California Wellness Foundation: Promoting Violence Prevention
Cal Wellness’ goal is to build resilience in diverse communities across the state so that all Californians have the opportunity to live in safe and healthy neighborhoods.
Go to ResourceWalter and Elise Haas Fund
The first step in applying for a grant from the Walter & Elise Haas Fund is to make sure your organization or project fits with the Fund’s priorities — both generally and in terms of the specific program area you’re applying to.
Go to ResourceOakland Black Business Fund
Oakland Black Business Fund – In response to heightened awareness of economic injustice and the devastating disproportionate effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the Black community, Oakland Black Business Fund (OBFF) provides capital and technical assistance to empower Black entrepreneurs to catalyze the revitalization of the local economy.
Go to ResourceFILM: California Documentary Project Research and Development and Production Grants
California Documentary Project Research and Development Grants and Production Grants The next application deadline is November 2, 2020 (tentative grant period 2021–2023).
The California Documentary Project (CDP) is a competitive grant program that supports the research and development and production stages of film, audio, and digital media projects that seek to document California in all its complexity. Projects should use the humanities to provide context, depth and perspective and reach and engage broad audiences through multiple means, including but not limited to radio and television broadcasts, podcasts, online distribution and interactive media, community screenings and discussions, in classrooms and libraries, at cultural centers, film festivals, and beyond. Funding is available in three categories:
- CDP NextGen Grants up to $15,000
- Research and Development Grants up to $10,000
- Production Grants up to $50,000
American Documentary
Through our broadcast, interactive and engagement programs, we’ve has nurtured generations of independent mediamakers with direct funding, mentorship, editorial support and national distribution and engagement strategies. In addition, we provide year-round support for the field through artist-centered programs that include filmmaker funds and talent incubation initiatives.
Go to ResourceThe Worker Lab Innovation Fund
In a short, four-week cycle, The Worker Lab is calling for ideas about Worker Health & Safety and offering two tiers of prizes:, $150,000 cash for pilot-ready innovations and $75,000 cash for early-stage ideas. Office hours and webinars to answer questions about the fund are available on their website. NOTE: The Summer 2020 funding call is now over. Subscribe to receive news about the Fall 2020 opening. The cycle closes on August 17.
Go to ResourceOakland Black Business Fund
In response to heightened awareness of economic injustice and the devastating disproportionate effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the Black community, Oakland Black Business Fund (OBFF) provides capital and technical assistance to empower Black entrepreneurs to catalyze the revitalization of the local economy.
Go to ResourceElevate Youth California, Youth Substance Use Disorder Prevention Program, The Center at Sierra Health Foundation
This Round 2 request for applications funding opportunity through Proposition 64 provided by The Center from the State of California’s Department of Health Care Services is focused on communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs and criminalization of substance use, which often have less access to treatment and information about substance use supports. Register online for two webinars to review the request for applications: September 10, 1PM and September 17, 11AM.
Go to ResourceSpark Justice Fund at Borealis Philanthropy
The purpose of this funding is to help grassroots organizing groups that are working to transform pretrial justice to meet urgent needs arising out of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in jails and communities. Consideration supporting any needs arising out of the current pandemic as long as they help groups advance their goals of ending cash bail, reducing jail populations, and promoting alternative community-led visions of justice in their jurisdictions. Funding can be used both for strengthening organizational infrastructure and for substantive campaigns. Applications accepted through October 20, 2020.
Go to ResourceCultural Funding
COVID-19: Performing Arts Worker Relief Fund
Theatre Bay Area, in partnership with Dancers’ Group and InterMusic SF, launched the COVID-19: Performing Arts Worker Relief Fund on March 20, 2020 as a resource for performing arts workers who are facing a loss of income due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
Go to ResourceArtist Relief Cycle III
Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19; serve as an ongoing informational resource. Cycle VI application will be open from August 27 – September 23 (closes 11:59pm ET). Artist Relief has also issued a COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers to help relay the story of creative workers and make sure that they are supported during this ongoing crisis and the eventual recovery.
Go to ResourceArts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund
In support of US-based Black, Indigenous, People of Color artists and administrators (consultants, facilitators, box office staff, seasonal/temporary employees, etc.) who have been financially impacted due to COVID-19. This is a ONE-TIME micro grant of $200.
Go to Resource
FILM: California Documentary Project Research and Development and Production Grants
California Documentary Project Research and Development Grants and Production Grants The next application deadline is November 2, 2020 (tentative grant period 2021–2023).
The California Documentary Project (CDP) is a competitive grant program that supports the research and development and production stages of film, audio, and digital media projects that seek to document California in all its complexity. Projects should use the humanities to provide context, depth and perspective and reach and engage broad audiences through multiple means, including but not limited to radio and television broadcasts, podcasts, online distribution and interactive media, community screenings and discussions, in classrooms and libraries, at cultural centers, film festivals, and beyond. Funding is available in three categories:
- CDP NextGen Grants up to $15,000
- Research and Development Grants up to $10,000
- Production Grants up to $50,000
American Documentary
Through our broadcast, interactive and engagement programs, we’ve has nurtured generations of independent mediamakers with direct funding, mentorship, editorial support and national distribution and engagement strategies. In addition, we provide year-round support for the field through artist-centered programs that include filmmaker funds and talent incubation initiatives.
Go to ResourceThe Zellerbach Family Foundation Community Arts COVID Response Grants
Applications accepted September 7 – 21, 2020 for a December 1, 2020 decision.
Go to ResourceCalifornia Arts Council Open Grants List
You or your organization might be eligible for an arts-related grant. In addition to its own grant program offerings, the California Arts Council keeps a database dedicated to arts and culture funding opportunities available from the field at large.
Go to ResourceThe Clorox Company Mini-Grants, Cultural Arts, Education and Youth Development
The following page outlines grant application instructions for The Clorox Company Foundation – providing grants primarily in Oakland, California. Application deadlines are October 1, January 1 and April 1 and must be received electronically by 5 p.m. PST/PDT on deadline dates.
Go to ResourceCal Humanities Grants
Quick Grants (between $1,000 and $5,000) are awarded three times a year to small-scale public humanities programs and projects which take place within one year from the award date. The next deadline is October 15, 2020. Guidelines will be available in mid-September. Join our mailing list to receive updates.
Project Grants ($10,000 to $20,000) are awarded twice a year to large scale public humanities projects of up to two-years duration from the award date. The next deadline is October 19, 2020. Guidelines will be published and the application portal opened on September 18. Please join us for an informational webinar on October 2, 2020 at 11am. Interested applicants should download and review the Guidelines & FAQ on their website.
Bridge Project Community Engagement Residency
HMD’s Community Engagement Residency (CER) provides year-long support for San Francisco Bay Area dance and movement artists and artist collectives to engage in creative process with their communities, however they define them. CER projects blend art and activism to address cultural inequities within the Bay Area arts. Core values of the residency are equity, dialogue, process, artist autonomy, the intersection of art-making and activism, and building meaningful relationships among artists.
Each Community Engagement Residency includes a $6000 lead artist stipend and $1000 in subsidized space. CER artists will also convene regularly throughout the year cycle to evolve their projects and grow capacity in dialogue with one another and HMD staff. This year-long residency will take place from September 1, 2021 – August 31, 2022.
Go to ResourceFunding Research and Tools
Foundation Research
The process of finding grants begins with research. Foundations generally give based on priority area and geographic region. A good first step is to look for funders whose interests match your organization’s mission, programs, populations served, and location. Foundations generally make grants to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status. If you don’t have exempt status, consider finding a nonprofit to work with, or to act as your fiscal sponsor.
GuideStar is a database comprised of more than 2.6 million current and historic tax-exempt organizations’ profiles as well as data directly from IRS sources including 990 forms.
Grassroots Institute For Fundraising Training
GIFT- provides training, resources, and analysis to thousands of groups each year. Our programs include: Grassroots Fundraising Journal to provide organizations with affordable and practical information and ideas for fundraising Money for Our Movements: A Social Justice Fundraising Conference & Training and Consulting Services.
Go to ResourceFiscal Sponsorship
Many foundations require applicants to have a fiscal sponsor if they do not have 501(c)3 status. The below organizations provide fiscal sponsorship and various levels of support and service to organizations and individuals seeking grants.
SocialGood has a broad social mission: to promote and cultivate positive influences for individuals, communities, and the environment. What does this mean for you? It means that, no matter the purpose of your project (social change, public art, environmental justice, etc.), as long as it brings a benefit to others and is non-commercial (i.e., exclusively for-profit), we can sponsor you. Moreover, we will sponsor you quickly.
Intersection for the Arts- Fiscal Sponsorship
Membership at Intersection includes fiscal sponsorship, discounts on workshops, arts coaching, coworking space, and staff support. Plus, you join a dynamic community of people making art happen in the Bay Area.
Go to ResourceNEO Philanthropy Fiscal Sponsorship
As a fiscal sponsor, NEO acts as an umbrella organization for an individual or project’s charitable work, and accepts and administers funds on its behalf. Fiscal sponsorship at NEO gives groups a non-profit “home” and allows them to focus on their programmatic work while NEO manages the financial, HR and legal elements, giving the projects the room they need to make a significant impact on the world.
Go to ResourceCovid-19 related resources
City of Oakland COVID-19 testing
City of Oakland – The City of Oakland is partnering with Brown and Toland Physicians Group, CORE, Verily, and Roots Community Health Center to provide free COVID-19 testing to people who live or work in Alameda County regardless of insurance or immigration status.
Go to ResourceRoots Clinic Drive through testing
Alameda County residents who don’t have insurance can contact the testing sites below:
Free COVID-19 Testing for the Whole Community
Click here for more information on testing in Oakland (M, W, F)
Click here for more information on testing in San Jose (Weds)
Go to ResourceFood Distribution in Oakland
See website for information and sites about food distribution points in Oakland. Please note the eligibility requirements information of each site. If you have un-met food needs, please call 2-1-1 to learn where you may be eligible to receive food.
Go to ResourceResources for Workers Impacted by COVID-19
Resources for Oakland workers to Plan, Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).
Unemployment Insurance, Federal Economic Impact Payments, Sick Leave and Disability Leave, Health Insurance, Workplace Safety, Utility, Support Services
City of Oakland Resources for Businesses
Information for: Small businesses, nonprofits, sole proprietors and independent contractors may feel overwhelmed by the many support options available.
Small Business Assistance and Navigating U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program.
Worker, Artist and Arts Nonprofit Resources.
Oakland’s Moratorium on Residential and Commercial Evictions
The extended moratorium will prohibit most evictions, effective immediately and continuing through August 31, 2020, unless the City Council extends or shortens that date. Additionally, the moratorium prohibits residential rent increases above 3.5% (the Consumer Price Index, or CPI) and prohibits any late fees related to COVID-19 issues in residential units. Unpaid rent will still be due, and the moratorium does not relieve tenants of the obligation to pay unpaid back rent in the future.
Go to ResourceCounty Logo Header Controller County of Alameda COVID-19 Food Distribution, Testing, & Services Map
This map assists people in locating food distribution sites, COVID-19 testing sites, and other services during the COVID-19 shelter in place order
Go to ResourceCOVID-19 Testing in Alameda County
The Alameda County Public Health Department has formed a COVID-19 Testing Task Force to
develop and implement a coordinated testing program to address disparities, ensure countywide
access, and support the County’s COVID response. This site has a list of known COVID-19 testing sites in Alameda County.