Coronavirus Information

HOW YOU CAN HELP DONATE

UNITED WE STAND FUND

People across the Black Hills are suffering with the impact of the pandemic - illness, financial struggle, job loss, and more. Local nonprofits are experiencing an extreme increase in demand for services, nearly doubling or tripling their operational costs. Need is higher than ever before, and everywhere - not contained to one specific region.

In the early stages of the pandemic, many nonprofits expressed the need for funds over tangible goods, because needs change daily, and they need to have the funds to purchase the goods currently in demand.

Response

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 amidst 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.

Apply for a Grant

UNITED WE grow:
webinar series

This series is intended to provide valuable education and resources specifically tailored to non-profit agencies. Topics to be discussed include: Cybersecurity & Working from Home; Budgeting in Crisis; Audit Considerations and Changes; Volunteerism During Social Distancing and more!

All webinars will be streamed LIVE on the United Way of the Black Hills Facebook Page.

Click here to view series

A community united series

We are hosting a web panel series, A Community UNITED, with KNBN NewsCenter1. The virtual panels will cover specific topics regarding community needs and available resources for those in need. These panels include 4-5 nonprofit and community leaders that have valuable knowledge on these topics.

Click the topics below for more information:

BASIC NEEDS

EDUCATION

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
MENTAL HEALTH

We thank KNBN NewsCenter1 for providing the resources to host these panels.

Click here to view series

HOW TO GIVE AND GET INVOLVED

GIVE - If you are not in need of assistance, we hope that you will consider making a donation to our COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund and provide immediate support to those most vulnerable to the economic and basic needs issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 100% of the donations raised for this fund will go directly to agencies that qualify for a grant. When you make a donation to the Community Response fund, you are ensuring that your financial gift is serving needs that have yet to be fulfilled in the community.

GIVE NOW

Organizations and needs we have funded:

Click here to view the donor impact for 5/29/2020

Helpline Center 2-1-1: $5,000

Funds will be used to the call center accomodate the increase in calls to be connected to urgent resources.

Fork Real - $2,000

Funds will be used for food distribution.

Custer Schools - $5,000*

Funds will be used for summer food distribution.

*These funds will be matched by Black Hills Area Community Foundation

Operation Home Front - $2,500

Funds will be used for economic assistance for veterans

Feeding SD - $10,000*

Funds will be used for food boxes to distribute throughout the Black Hills.

*These funds will be matched by Black Hills Area Community Foundation

Minneluzahan Senior Center - $1,000

Funds will be used for Happy Paks with food and activities for seniors along with a check in by staff to make sure they are doing okay.

Crisis Intervention Shelter Service (CISS) - $3,500

Funds will be used for boxes of food, hygiene kits, rental assistance, hotel vouchers, and assistance in acquiring unemployment for victims of domestic abuse.

Front Porch Coalition – $5,000

Funds will be used for PPE for LOSS volunteers and additional trainings for LOSS volunteers to help others with the new stresses families are experiencing due to COVID-19.

Black Hills Special Services Cooperative - $12,000

The need: A need for computers and technology for households to continue online education.

How these funds will assist the need: To purchase computers for households to continue online education for children and adult learning. In addition, BHSSC provides economic assistance to students via the recently created Student Support Fund. Funds are used for emergencies only; such needs as rent assistance, utilities, fuel, bus passes, employment uniform/attire, employment tools, education/training materials and supplies (including technology and devices, which was recently added due to new needs in response to Coronavirus).

Volunteers of America - $10,000

The need: A lack of sufficient shelter for the homeless population due to the increase in CDC guidelines.

How these funds will assist the need: To provide shelter at a hotel/motel to upwards of 20 individuals.

WAVI (Working Against Violence Inc) - $5,000

The need: An increase for food, essential non-food supplies, and activities for residents in the shelter.

How these funds will assist the need: To provide food and the necessary non-essential supplies to continue operations.

Spearfish Nutrition Site - $4,000*

The need: An increased need for meals to serve to local senior citizens.

How these funds will assist the need: To provide assistance to purchase meals.

*This amount will be matched by Black Hills Area Community Foundation

Abbott House - $3,000

The need: A lack in supplies: Food, toilet paper, paper towels and creative supplies for mental wellness activities for residents.

How these funds will assist the need: To purchase the necessary supplies to continue day to day operations.

New Dawn Enterprises - $2,500

The need: A lack in toilet paper, paper towels and creative supplies for mental wellness activities for residents

How these funds will assist the need: To purchase the necessary supplies to continue day to day operations.

Catholic Social Services - $20,000

The need: An increased need in emergency economic assistance applications (rental assistance, vouchers for medications and food), as well as mental health

tele-counseling services.

How these funds will assist the need: To provide economic assistance to families in need, and to provide mental tele-health counseling services.

Wellfully - $8,144

The need: To accommodate an influx of residents coming into their care.

How these funds will assist the need: Purchasing additional beds and supplies to serve more kids in residential care.

Youth and Family Services - $5,000

The need: Families enrolled are facing economic hardship due to job loss, reduced hours, etc. They want to assist these families in getting the emergency needs they require.

How these funds will assist the need: For food and non-food essential items, and to provide rent assistance (an average of $500 each for up to nine families) and/or co-pay for medical, dental, and mental health services for families in need.

Salvation Army of the Black Hills - $20,000

The need: An increase in demand for their food pantry service as a result of lost or reduced employment.

While they usually assist with utilities, they have also begun assisting with rent payments in response to the pandemic.

How these funds will assist the need: To provide utility and rental assistance to those in need.

To purchase food, hygiene supplies (toilet paper and household cleaners when available) and boxes to continue serving their food pantry clients and delivery for vulnerable populations.

Meals on Wheels of Western SD - $10,000*

The need: They are expanding the capacity to provide hot, and frozen meals to seniors throughout the region which encompasses 49 communities. They have seen a 30% increase in the last 2 weeks. 25 new signups a day and growing

How these funds will assist the need: To purchase frozen meals that they will be preparing for Sturgis, Belle Fourche, Rapid City, Custer, Hot Springs and Edgemont (Approximately 15,045 meals)

*This amount will be matched by Black Hills Area Community Foundation to equal a $20,000 award amount.

Black Hills Works - $8,500

The need: Increased operating costs associated with cleaning to comply with CDC guidelines. I.e - the purchase of additional cleaning supplies, masks, gloves, and other PPE.

How these funds will assist the need: To purchase cleaning and protective supplies for employees, and provide meals to clients who are not receiving meals through their workplace.

Club for Boys - $5,000

The need: Families enrolled are facing economic hardship due to job loss, reduced hours, etc. They want to assist these families in getting the emergency needs they require.

How these funds will assist the need: To provide emergency economic assistance to enrolled families such as: Gift cards to local stores so families can purchase supplies needed during this emergency such as food, diapers, medical supplies, cleaning and household supplies.

Boys and Girls Club of the Black Hills - $2,800

The need: Providing food and activities to kids while they are out of school and practicing social distancing.

How these funds will assist the need: To purchase meal bags and activity kits for kids staying at home.