Emergency Response Fund

In early 2020, NPCF set up an Emergency Response Fund to facilitate rapid-response community giving during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ERF distributed over $600,000 to local nonprofits as they went above and beyond to meet new needs, such as providing free childcare to first responders and equipping local classrooms with PPE.

Today, the Emergency Response Fund remains in place, but now with the intent to facilitate the same kind of rapid response in the event of future local emergencies such as natural disasters or other public health crises. NPCF is extremely grateful to our community of donors, whose generosity and foresight were critical to the evolution of the fund.

To donate to the fund, click the button above. You will be directed to the NPCF Donate page; to ensure your gift goes to the ERF, select “NPCF Emergency Response Fund” from the dropdown menu on that page (it’s towards the top of the list). We are very grateful for your support.

  • Hosted by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, the fund provides flexible resources to organizations in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison and Rappahannock counties helping to alleviate the effects of public health crises, natural disasters, and other unforeseeable crises.

    The Fund will operate in partnership with local governments, schools, other foundations and the private sector to address current and emerging needs and strategically fill gaps in support.

    Natural disasters, pandemics, and other community crises result in loss of income and limited access to food, supplies and education. Public emergencies tend to be disproportionate in their impacts. We are deeply aware that the needs for some in our community will be critical.

    We also understand that, in our region, we are all interconnected. These connections, in a time of crisis, create risk but also diverse opportunity. We must be prepared to invest in each other to provide support for others and alleviate the community-wide effects.

  • If you are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or a public service entity that provides a community service and are experiencing a hardship in providing those services due to an unforeseeable public emergency, please feel free to apply.

    To apply:

    Compose an email letter addressed to NPCF, Emergency Response Fund, send to jbwilson@npcf.org. In your letter, please provide:

    • your organization’s name, EIN number, address and contact information

    • Please address the short-term implications on your organization due to crisis and/or your emergent need, the anticipated long-term, 3 months or more, effects on your organization

    • provide a simple budget that highlights the need for funding

    Funding amounts will vary and the community foundation understands that your funding needs may change. If awarded, you may reapply in one month or sooner if there are extenuating circumstances.

    Funding requests will be responded to immediately or within one week of your request. You may call 540-349-0631, ext. 1 or 3 to discuss or for questions. Because this is an evolving situation, award amounts and further criteria will be added as needed.

  • Our staff will continue to be available by email and phone to the fullest possible extent.

    Jane Bowling-Wilson, Executive Director, jbwilson@npcf.org

    Dede McClure, Program Officer, communityservices@npcf.org