BACKGROUND: On March 6, 2020, Mayor Steve Adler declared a local state of disaster in Austin, Texas due to rising concerns about the transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Since then, community suppression and mitigation efforts have increased dramatically, including a ‘shelter-in-place’ order beginning March 24. These important measures, meant to curb the spread of the virus, have also resulted in sweeping economic, social and health hardships for residents of Central Texas. COORDINATED & EFFICIENT RESPONSE

The All Together ATX Fund was created by a coalition of philanthropic leaders across the community to provide flexible resources to organizations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus and the economic consequences of the outbreak. Created in partnership by Austin Community Foundation and United Way for Greater Austin, the All Together ATX Fund is designed to complement the work of public health officials and expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak as efficiently as possible.

The Fund seeks to deploy resources in a phased approach, focused first on the most affected and later on long-term recovery and sustainability for the nonprofit sector. In the near-term, one-time operating grants will fund organizations that have deep roots within priority populations, such as:

-Residents living in poverty and/or experiencing homelessness

-Residents without health insurance and/or access to sick days

-Healthcare and gig-economy workers 

The first phase of rapid-response grants, to be distributed no later than April 17, will address: The economic impact of reduced and lost work due to the coronavirus outbreak~ Immediate needs of economically vulnerable populations caused by closures and cancellations related to COVID-19 ~ Increased demand for medical information and support

WHO CAN GIVE? The Fund will accept donations large and small from individuals, foundations and corporations. The power of our collective impact will lead to increased resources directly deployed in our most vulnerable communities and decreased burden to our nonprofit partners who are already working at capacity. Grant review and award decisions will be made by a committee of community advisors, managed by staff at United Way for Greater Austin and Austin Community Foundation.

AllTogetherATX.org