MCCF awards COVID-19 Assistance Fund Grants totaling $33,530

The second round of grants from the McKean County Community Foundation (MCCF) COVID-19 Assistance Fund was recently distributed.  Representatives from the MCCF visited all of the recipients in the past few weeks to distribute a total of $33,530 to sixteen local nonprofit agencies.

Recipients of the awards were diverse and had a variety of needs due to COVID related issues.  Some of the common requests included issues due to lack of fund raising ability, low enrollment, increase request for services and the need to purchase the personal protection supplies required to allow their agencies to safely provide their programs and services to the public. 

There were five public libraries, three preschools/learning centers, five human services programs along with the Smethport Volunteer Fire Department, the Bradford Township Community Club associated with the Local Lions Club and Eldred World War II Museum. The preschool/learning centers included Kane Day School, Wesley Preschool and Bradford YMCA Learning Lab & Child Care.  Those human Services programs included Beacon Light Residential Treatment Facility, Big Brothers Big Sister, Community Links, Beacon Light Behavioral Health, and CARE for Children. The Library that received awards grants were: Bradford Area Public Library, Hamlin Memorial Library, Friends Library of Kane, S.W. Smith Memorial Public Library and Mt Jewett Memorial Library.

In response to the ongoing pandemic, the McKean County Community Foundation (MCCF) established the COVID-19 Assistance Fund in the spring of 2020. The first round of grants was given last fall totaling $13,500. With this current grant cycle a total of $47,030 has been awarded and is helping our local community.  This outbreak has been impacting the community in many ways and with the uncertainty of where it ends, MCCF hopes to continue to provide help throughout the county but is in need of more funding.

The COVID-19 Assistance Fund has been made up of public donations. MCCF invites donors to join in this effort. By pooling funds, MCCF can collectively support our community nonprofits and make a bigger impact on their needs. The McKean County Community Foundation will waive administrative fees on all donations and will distribute 100% of all donations to those agencies in need by an open grant process.

Donations to this fund can be mailed to the McKean County Community Foundation at P.O. Box 708, Bradford, PA, 16701, with check made payable to the MCCF – COVID-19 Assistance Fund. Online donations will also be accepted through the website at www.mckeancountyfoundation.org, using the Donate Now link on the home page. When making your donation, please indicate the COVID-19 Assistance Fund as the fund name.