Rotary Club Donates $50,000 to Support Community

April 2, 2020

This week, the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island donated $50,000 to Bainbridge Community Foundation (BCF) in support of its emergency fund. The Community Response Fund, established specifically to provide financial assistance to the nonprofit community in case of a crisis, is awarding grants to 501(c)(3) social service applicants in need of additional funding during the COVID-19 outbreak. Rotary’s exceptional donation to BCF exemplifies its commitment to the community and highlights the critical role nonprofits play to support our more vulnerable neighbors. Since the 1960s the Rotary Club’s Annual Auction and Rummage Sale has raised funds for capital projects on the Island. Support included the first funds for the Bainbridge Public Library, to numerous parks, the Waypoint and countless nonprofit endeavors. This gift marks one of the first times Rotary has provided operational support. This change will also be reflected in their current grant cycle. “Our community is facing an unprecedented situation,” said Ed Gilbert, Rotary President, “our Club immediately took measures to ensure we were meeting the pressing needs of the community.” Bainbridge’s local grocery store, Town & Country Markets, has given a generous donation to the Community Response Fund, along with many individual donors. Grants have already been distributed to support local programs to provide nutritious food to children/families who would normally rely on free and reduced lunch at their schools and to support childcare for those workers whose jobs are considered essential. Through the Community Response Fund and other grantmaking mechanisms, BCF has contributed over $118,000 to date responding to urgent health and human services needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation continues to have daily correspondence with local nonprofits to identify additional areas of concern, and conducted a survey to identify common needs among all nonprofits in Kitsap County. BCF also recently held a round of teleconference video calls by sector to conduct a needs analysis. “It’s times like these I’m proud to be a member of the Bainbridge community,” said Jim Hopper, BCF’s Executive Director. “I’m watching our community come together at a critical time and local nonprofits are working overtime to support those in need. It’s been a tough time for everyone, but we know we can count on the community for help.” Want to learn more about the Community Response Fund? Visit our website at https://bainbridgecf.org/area-of-interest-funds/ Please contact media@bainbridgecf.org with any questions.

Tags: Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island, BCF, Bainbridge nonprofits, Bainbridge Community Foundation