In collaboration with United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley, ECCF established the Quick Response Community Fund to rapidly deploy resources to Eau Claire area nonprofits at the frontlines of the COVID-19 outbreak and for urgent operational needs.

ECCF and UWGCV are collaborating and communicating with Marshfield Clinic Health System, the Community Foundation of Dunn County and the Community Foundation of Chippewa County to further efforts to support their areas' nonprofits. 

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Donation Options

• Credit Card donations can be made online by clicking link above, which leads to our safe and secure donation portal.
• Checks can be mailed to:

ECCF
Attn: Quick Response Community Fund (can be abbreviated to QRCF)
306 S. Barstow St., Suite 104
Eau Claire, WI  54701

• Recommend a gift from your donor advised fund

To make a donation using other assets like stock or mutual funds, or to direct an IRA Qualified Charitable Deduction (QCD) to the fund, contact ECCF Executive Director Sue Bornick at [email protected]  or 715-552-3801.

About the Quick Response Community Fund

Hosted by ECCF and supported by UWGCV and Marshfield Clinic Health System, this fund will provide flexible and rapid resources to Eau Claire area nonprofits working with those who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and its economic consequences.  

ECCF will administer grants in collaboration with UWGCV. Together, we will review grant applications and recommend funding awards. Funds will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs. We expect to issue an initial round of grants within the next two weeks.

Contact Us

• General questions and inquiries about making requests for emergency grant funding can be directed to Rebecca White Body at [email protected] or Jan Porath at [email protected]
• Interested donors and partners can contact Sue Bornick at [email protected].

How to Make a Grant Request

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, or other charitable organizations able to receive a tax-deductible contribution.

Any nonprofit organizations that meet these criteria and serve the Eau Claire area are eligible to apply. Those addressing basic needs like food, shelter, and medical care will be prioritized in the initial phase of this emergency grant cycle. Urgent operational needs will also be considered. We’re working closely with UWGCV to ensure that the grants awarded meet the community’s most urgent needs.

Nonprofits can currently apply for one Service Need request of up to $10,000 and one Operational Need request of up to $5000. As more funding becomes available, we will provide more granting opportunities.

Click here to make a grant request. 

Requests will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and responses will be made within a week of submitting the proposal. In order to move resources quickly, the request form is short and easy to complete. If a nonprofit is not immediately funded, its request will continue to be reviewed weekly.

FAQs about the Quick Response Community Fund

Is there a geographic area of focus for the Fund?
The Quick Response Community Fund will support community-based organizations serving the Eau Claire area.

What will be included in the first phase of funding?
We anticipate multiple phases of funding to address both the acute needs now and the outbreak’s longer-term impacts as we enter the recovery phase. In this first phase, we’re prioritizing community-based nonprofits serving those who are immediately and disproportionately suffering from this crisis as well as nonprofits’ urgent operational needs.

Should I give to this Fund instead of making other donations?
This Fund was not created to be the only support for critical community activities during this outbreak. Rather, its intention is to quickly channel resources to where they’re needed most. If the Fund’s priorities align with your values, please consider making a donation. However, please continue to give directly to organizations you regularly support as well as others that need your help at this crucial time.

I want to donate. Can I restrict my funding to a prioritized grantee?
To ensure that we move resources as efficiently as possible, we’re not considering restricted donations at this time. If you want to support a particular nonprofit, please contact that organization directly.

Is there a fee to contribute?
Because of the current emergency situation, there is no administrative fee for contributions to the Quick Response Community Fund. 100% of donations will support local nonprofits. Gifts can also be mailed to ECCF.  

When will you share your list of grantees?
We anticipate making a first round of emergency grants in the coming weeks and will post the list of grantees, along with short descriptions of the services they’re providing, on our website and on social media. We hope this will help the community navigate available resources.

How will the funding priorities change over time?
The Fund’s priorities may evolve as our region adapts to the COVID-19 outbreak. We’ll initially prioritize the nonprofits in most urgent need of resources to address basic needs like food, shelter, and medical care as well as nonprofits’ urgent operational needs.

I’m an individual who’s been affected by COVID-19. Can this Fund help me?
We understand that many people have been affected by the outbreak already, and more will continue to be affected. While the Fund can’t provide grants to individuals, it will be funding community-based nonprofits that have strong experience in providing support to people in need.

For immediate assistance, please call 2-1-1 or check the 2-1-1 Wisconsin web page.

Other Funding Opportunities

Marshfield Clinic Health System/Security Health Plan COVID-19 Community Support Fund

Marshfield Clinic Health System and Security Health Plan have established the Marshfield Clinic Health System/Security Health Plan COVID-19 Community Support Fund to provide financial resources quickly and easily to local community organizations who can help "flatten the curve" by addressing local needs and issues associated with coronavirus. Follow this link to see more information about the COVID-19 Community Support Fund: https://communityhealth.marshfieldclinic.org/Community-Investments

Otto Bremer Trust Emergency Funding Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in emergency funding opportunities through Community Benefit Financial Company, a subsidiary of the Otto Bremer Trust. We've been receiving many inquiries about this initiative and wanted to give you a brief update. The Trust is now accepting initial inquiries from organizations seeking emergency grants and loans. This brief questionnaire is designed to help CBFC determine the scope of emergency needs in our region. If your organization is selected for further consideration, we will contact you for additional information.

Please note that the fund is designated for emergency requests only and is separate from OBT’s normal grantmaking process.  Information and a link to the initial application form are available here.  To sign up for Emergency Fund updates and other Otto Bremer Trust news, visit our news subscription page.