COVID-19 Response
Dear Community Partner,
We’re reaching out in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and in the spirit of cultivating communities that flourish.
In times like these, it’s hard to imagine “flourishing” when so much of our energy and attention is required to focus on the needs right before us. Even so, our shared vision for the community requires us to live with both the reality of our current situation AND the real hope required to move us through and beyond…and we will. Your friends at the Welborn Baptist Foundation want you to know that you and your organization are in our thoughts and prayers.
And we want you to know that we value the work that you do and we’re especially sensitive to how this pandemic will impact our local community and the nonprofit sector. We recognize that you are on the front lines, serving those most vulnerable, and we are sensitive to the difficulties you may be facing in these ever-evolving circumstances.
Thank you for your persevering work and love for our community. May the Lord give you an abundance of wisdom, strength, courage, unity, and an overflowing faith to trust him more.
With you,
Pat, the staff, and board of the Welborn Baptist Foundation
Important Financial Resources
The links below provide
information related to the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program and the SBA
Disaster Loan Assistance Application for Nonprofits. Small
businesses and Nonprofits can apply to these programs starting Friday, April 3.
CARES
Act Paycheck Protection Program*
- Overview of the Payment Protection Program (PPP)
- Paycheck Protection Program Information Sheet (for Borrowers)
- Payment Protection Program Application Form
*The demand will be very
high, so we suggest borrowers (Nonprofits) connect with their existing bank
partner (allowing for a more seamless application process) or visit sba.gov
for a list of nearly 2,000 approved lenders.
SBA Disaster Loan Assistance Application (for Nonprofits)
For more information on local funding efforts and opportunity, visit covidresponsefund.com.

Covid-19 Crisis Response Fund of the Greater Evansville Area
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, a team of funding partners has established a cross-sector, community-wide COVID-19 Response Fund of the Greater Evansville Region. This response is designed to serve the community through the relief, recovery, and restoration phases typical of large-scale crises to catalyze hope in a time that perpetuates hopelessness and isolation.
Who created this fund?
This fund has been established in a collaborative effort between the Southern Indiana Grantmakers (SING), United Way of Southwestern Indiana (serving as the fiscal sponsor), Welborn Baptist Foundation, Community Foundation Alliance and the City of Evansville. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to join the effort and donate to the fund. These founding fund partners invite the broader community to contribute to the COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund as the primary and strategic vehicle designed to meet our community’s needs in the short, mid, and long term (18-month horizon).
What is the geographic reach of the fund?
The fund has been created to serve primarily Gibson, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties.
What will this fund support?
The fund will specifically support:
- Tactics that provide gap support (not duplicated Federal Programs) to those who are asset-limited, income-constrained and may be temporarily unemployed (ALICE)
- Sustain critical operations and levels of service that meet the basic needs of the vulnerable, at-risk, health care workers, and first responders (e.g., food, shelter and childcare)
- Support temporary staffing or volunteer mobilization efforts in response to the loss of the volunteer base critical to essential social services
- Encourage and champion a movement of neighbors caring for neighbors
These above purposes are focused on short-term relief. Criteria for the recovery and restoration phases will be determined as needs and opportunities emerge in the coming months.
Is there a financial goal for the fund?
The fund launched with over $1,000,000 committed by initial partners. The initial goal is to raise $6,000,000 but that could change as the crisis continues.
How will distribution work?
An Allocation Committee consisting of regional representatives will identify organizations to which the fund will make initial contributions. Timely, informed grant-making decisions will be made on evolving needs over time. Organizations receiving funds will be required to report on the use of the monies granted.
What is the timeframe?
Distributions for the relief phase should begin within the next few weeks. While we don’t know how long this crisis will last, this response is designed to serve the community through the relief, recovery, and restoration phases typical of large-scale crises
Simple definitions
- Relief – meet immediate need; a temporary fix for now
- Recovery – a transitional foothold for a ‘new normal’
- Restoration – a transformational foundation, for what’s next
Who’s supported the fund thus far?
- Southern Indiana Grantmakers (SING)
- Welborn Baptist Foundation
- United Way of Southwestern Indiana
- Community Foundation Alliance
- Koch Foundation
- Old National Bank
- Vectren Foundation
- Toyota
- City of Evansville Endowment Fund
- Mattingly Charities
- United Way of Posey County
- The City of Evansville
- Chapman Family Foundation
- Bob & Lisa Jones
- Hamman Foundation
- Bussing-Koch Foundation
- Dan & Scherri Arens
- Romain Family
How can I get engaged and donate?
Get updates: Visit the Covid-19 Crisis Response Fund of the Greater Evansville Region’s Facebook Page.
Ways to donate:
- Go to covidresponsefund.com
- Cash and Check donations are accepted at all Old National Bank and Heritage Federal Credit Union branches. Please reference “COVID-19 Crisis Response” with your donation.
- Send payment to:
United Way of Southwestern Indiana,
318 Main Street, Suite 504
Evansville, IN 47708 - For Stock or ACH payment please call 812-421-7476