Posted on October 21, 2009

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East Bay Community Foundation Launches Economic Relief Fund

The Oakland-based East Bay Community Foundation and six California-based companies have announced a new initiative to provide emergency economic relief in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano counties.

Seeded by a $250,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, the East Bay Emergency Relief Fund, in partnership with Kaiser Permanente, Chevron, OneCalifornia Bank, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, and Give Something Back, will award grants to nonprofit organizations working to provide food, shelter, health and employment-related services, and other support to individuals and families affected by the recession.

Over the past twelve months, the East Bay Community Foundation and its six partners have donated a total of $6.7 million to health and human service nonprofit organizations in the region, and they plan to provide an additional $5.2 million in asssistance during the coming months. Fund participants also will be calling on other California-based businesses to engage in the effort, either by making a direct financial contribution or in-kind donation, or by encouraging their employees to volunteer at emergency relief organizations.

"This unique participation of business leaders understands the growing need in all of our East Bay communities and they are generously stepping up to help," said East Bay Community Foundation president and CEO Nicole Taylor. "This effort is another example of 'the power of many,'" she added. "In this instance, the business sector is working together with the philanthropic sector to bring attention to the same problem and to encourage other corporations and the general public to get involved."

“Foundation & Six Corporations Join To Fill Food, Shelter, Job, & Health Needs.” East Bay Community Foundation Press Release 10/19/09.

Primary Subject: Human Services
Secondary Subject(s): Economic Crisis
Location(s): Alameda, California, Contra, Costa, Solano

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