Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Valley Faith-Based Nonprofits Hurt by COVID-19 Get $100K Boost
NANCY WEBSITE HEADSHOT 1
By Nancy Price, Multimedia Journalist
Published 5 years ago on
May 13, 2020

Share

More than $100,000 has been raised to benefit Valley faith-based nonprofits and community benefit organizations that are facing financial hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organizations receiving grants from the fund are based in Fresno, New London, Hanford, Kingsburg, and Merced, and provide a variety of services, including community development neighborhood improvement programs, human trafficking victim assistance, foster care ministry, food and clothing relief, job development for gang youth, and homeless assistance.

The Faith-Based Nonprofit Resilience Fund, spearheaded by the Center for Community Transformation at Fresno Pacific University in partnership with nonprofit leaders, was created in April after a center survey showed that stay-at-home orders to slow the spread of the coronavirus were adversely affecting small nonprofits.

The survey showed that one in three small faith-based nonprofits in the Valley had to lay off or furlough staff, and one in four said their existence would be threatened if shelter-in-place restrictions extended into May.

The city of Fresno’s shelter-in-place was extended through the month of May, while the state of California’s stay-at-home order is still in effect but is being gradually modified as conditions warrant.

Many Services Provided

The organizations receiving grants from the fund are based in Fresno, New London, Hanford, Kingsburg, and Merced, and provide a variety of services, including community development neighborhood improvement programs, human trafficking victim assistance, foster care ministry, food and clothing relief, job development for gang youth, and homeless assistance.

“We need these vital community benefit organizations not only to survive the crisis but be healthy to help with our recovery in the aftermath,” said Randy White, the center’s executive director.

Headed by White, the steering committee includes Ashley Swearengin, CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation; H Spees, director of strategic initiatives for the Fresno Mayor’s Office; Artie Padilla, executive director of Every Neighborhood Partnership; and Phil Skei, neighborhood initiatives manager at the Fresno Housing Authority Office and co-pastor at On Ramps Covenant Church.

Potential donors received an email April 22, and Fresno Pacific set up a link for donations at bit.ly/3bqnEyn. The first gifts were sent beginning May 11 and will continue until the end of the campaign.

Allocations are made based on a four-tiered system according to need, capacity, and viability.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

Fresno Shooting Leaves Man Dead Near Griffith and Hughes

Nancy Price,
Multimedia Journalist
Nancy Price is a multimedia journalist for GV Wire. A longtime reporter and editor who has worked for newspapers in California, Florida, Alaska, Illinois and Kansas, Nancy joined GV Wire in July 2019. She previously worked as an assistant metro editor for 13 years at The Fresno Bee. Nancy earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Her hobbies include singing with the Fresno Master Chorale and volunteering with Fresno Filmworks. You can reach Nancy at 559-492-4087 or Send an Email

Fresno Shooting Leaves Man Dead Near Griffith and Hughes

14 hours ago

Iran and Israel Say a New Wave of Iranian Missile Attacks Has Begun. Explosions Heard Over Jerusalem

14 hours ago

Vacant Fresno Restaurant Heavily Damaged in Early Morning Fire

An early morning fire caused significant damage to a vacant restaurant building in Fresno, the Fresno Fire Department reported.   ...

12 hours ago

A vacant Fresno restaurant was heavily damaged in a fire early Friday, June 13, 2025, morning, with no injuries reported and the cause under investigation. (Fresno FD)
12 hours ago

Vacant Fresno Restaurant Heavily Damaged in Early Morning Fire

13 hours ago

Visalia Police Make Arrest in Deadly Hit-and-Run

Michael Sanchez, 30, a Madera County inmate, who failed to return from a funeral day-pass was arrested Friday after a police chase and crash involving children. (Madera County SO)
13 hours ago

Madera County Inmate Arrested After Chase and Crash With Kids in Car

14 hours ago

Fresno Shooting Leaves Man Dead Near Griffith and Hughes

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Tomer Neuberg)
14 hours ago

Iran and Israel Say a New Wave of Iranian Missile Attacks Has Begun. Explosions Heard Over Jerusalem

A man in his 80s was found dead in Bass Lake on Friday, June 13, 2025, morning while attempting to launch a boat, authorities said. (Madera County SO)
14 hours ago

Man Found Dead in Bass Lake, Cause Under Investigation

U.S. Marines detain a person outside the Wilshire Federal Building after Marines were deployed to Los Angeles, as protests against federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 13, 2025. (Reuters/Aude Guerrucci)
14 hours ago

US Marines Carry out First Known Detention of Civilian in Los Angeles, Video Shows

14 hours ago

Tensions Boil Between Arias and Dem Congressmembers

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend