Our Impact in the Community

Emergency Fundraising

From the launch of Davidson Community Foundation (DCF) in mid-April to the end of 2020, the founding Board of Advisors has raised nearly $400,000 in Emergency Funds to support local non-profit agencies and houses of worship to meet the needs of our most vulnerable and financially-distressed community members who have faced job loss or other significant hardship due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. DCF is launching a second round of Emergency Fundraising in January 2021 to help address critical needs for housing, utility, food, and other support for families experiencing continued financial crisis due to the longstanding impact of the pandemic on lives and livelihoods.

Non-profit Grant Awards

Through the end of September 2020, DCF has awarded over $235,000 to 8 non-profits to support emergency needs including rent/housing, food, medications, utility service, and transportation for our neighbors in financial crisis and unable to pay for these basic expenses. These non-profits include the Ada Jenkins Center, Davidson-Cornelius Child Development Center, Davidson Housing Coalition, Gethsemane Baptist Church, Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region, Reeves Temple AME Zion Church, La Escuelita San Alban, and Safe Alliance. DCF expects to award additional Emergency Fund grants to our non-profit partners in January 2021 to help meet crisis needs.

Impact on Families

DCF Emergency Funds have reached 167 families in our community – nearly 600 individuals – and provided critically-needed financial support through the end of December. The families served are primarily from Davidson, but also include those from nearby communities. In addition to suffering the economic impact of job loss and significantly reduced work hours, some of the families are also trying to cope with disabilities and serious illnesses.

Methodical Needs Assessment and Grant Application Process

Prior to DCF’s launch and throughout 2020, board members worked closely with local non-profit agencies and houses of worship to assess and understand the number of families in economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to quantify each family’s specific needs for financial assistance. Additionally, DCF encouraged our non-profit partners to communicate among each other to help ensure that needy families were neither double-counted or missed. Each grantee organization – all 501(c)(3) designated – submitted formal grant requests and is required to adhere to specific outcomes measurements and reporting.

How to Obtain an Emergency Grant Application

DCF understands that the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis will likely extend through the first half of 2021 and will consider additional Emergency Fund needs to support the families of our community. Local non-profits that serve individuals and families in need are encouraged to contact DCF to obtain a Grant application and instructions. Please contact Chris Ahearn, DCF Grant Committee Chair, at chrisahearn007@gmail.com.

DCF, an all-volunteer organization, is led by a Board of Advisors and is affiliated as a field of interest fund with Foundation For The Carolinas.