Coronavirus Information

A MESSAGE FROM THE UNITED WAY OF THE BLACK HILLS DIRECTOR, 

This year has been an unprecedented time in our community, nation and globe due to COVID-19. We noticed the impact COVID-19 has made in the Black Hills, through illness, unemployment, and financial hardship.

We developed a UNITED We Stand COVID-19 Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to any nonprofit organization in the Black Hills that has provided necessary resources and supplies to our community.

This fund is a prime example of the work we do here at UWBH, everyday; working to solve immediate needs, while collaboratively working with our communities’ organizations to analyze the long-term impact and anticipated future needs.

This crisis has exacerbated existing chronic issues in our community like food insecurity, lack of access to medicine and financial instability ― and these needs have only gotten worse.

For example, pre COVID-19, we launched our new mental health initiative in an effort to address the #1 pressing need in our community according to our 2019 Community Needs Assessment: accessibility and affordability of mental health resources. The effects of COVID-19 such as isolation, economic and job uncertainty has exacerbated mental health issues like: anxiety, depression, etc.

It is critical that we prepare for, respond to, and ultimately help our communities emerge stronger from this. We must do so by investing in solutions to these root issues. We make this happen by the work we do with our funded nonprofit agencies.

Our partner agencies were on the front lines to GIVE, and now, we MUST GIVE BACK. The financial implications of this crisis have impacted many of our agencies in their normal operations, and could result in long-term financial burden.

UNITED, we will overcome this health and economic crisis. But we cannot do the work alone. We are in this together, and it’s the strength of our community partners that drives real change. We need your help. Please consider making a donation to United Way of the Black Hills.

We sincerely thank you for your gratitude and commitment to your community. Please continue to stay safe and healthy during this time.

Sincerely, 

Jamie Toennies,

Executive Director

United Way of the Black Hills

APPLY FOR A GRANT

The purpose of the COVID-19 Community Response Fund is to provide assistance to 501(c)3 nonprofit agencies to serve the increasing demand for services amid the coronavirus pandemic. Any registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization may apply for funding, so long as the funds are directly impacting the needs during the pandemic.  Individuals are not eligible to apply for grants. Click here to apply.

QUARTERLY COVID-19 NEWSLETTER AND IMPACT UPDATE - FALL 2020 

As of August, 2020, we have adjusted our weekly COVID-19 Grant announcements and updates to monthly. Presently, our COVID-19 Grant Announcements have been updated to a quarterly basis. Please read out Fall Newsletter to view a comphresensive list of the nonprofits we have funded as of July 2020, and the impact of this grant in the Black Hills.

Childcare Resources

Includes cleaning supplies and additional staff to comply with classroom CDC guidelines

YMCA of Rapid City - $21,600 (Awarded 8/5) | $22,000 (Awarded 9/24)

NH Alliance for Children $15,000 (Awarded 8/5)

ELEVATE Child care loans 0% Interest – (Awarded

Spearfish United Methodist Church - $5,000 (Awarded 9/28)

YFS Rapid City ($11,000)

Adult Education Resources

Includes purchasing equipment for virtual and distance learning such as tablets, laptops, additional print materials

Literacy Council - $1,095 (Awarded 9/28)

Dress for Success - $4,500 (Awarded 8/25)

Western Dakota Tech – $5,000 (Awarded 8/13/2020)

BHSSC – Career Learning Center - $10,000 (Awarded 8/5)

Food

Minneluzahan Senior Center - $2,255 (Awarded 9/24)

Emergency Housing/Shelter

Artemis House (Victims of Violence) - $5,000 (Awarded 9/24)

OUR COVID-19 RESOURCES