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Yancey County Establishes COVID-19 Response Fund to Support Non-Profit Organizations During the Coronavirus PandemicFunds will be Used to Aid the Most Vulnerable People Throughout the County
23 March 2020
REVISED 25 March 2020
Yancey County Government in partnership with the Yancey Advancement Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Community Development Non-Profit affiliated with the Yancey County Economic Development Commission, today announced the establishment of the “Yancey County COVID-19 Response Fund” to rapidly deploy resources to community-based non-profit organizations in Yancey County who work to address basic needs of those impacted by coronavirus and the economic consequences of the outbreak. The fund will assist our important community non-profits to secure the resources they need to serve the most vulnerable members of the community during this difficult time.
While age and pre-existing health conditions have been reported as greater at-risk factors for COVID-19 among the general population, school closures, job disruptions, lack of paid sick leave, the coronavirus’ disproportionate impact on adults age 60 and older, and the increasing economic burden to our low-income families further contribute to the demands placed on the non-profits working to meet those needs here in Yancey County.
“With this joint effort our first priority are the individuals, families and seniors who rely on our local non-profits for essential assistance day in and day out,” said Yancey County Manager Lynn Austin and Yancey EDC Director Jamie McMahan in a joint statement. “Our community non-profits are always there to help throughout the year and in times of disaster. This fund will advance their ability to respond efficiently and effectively in their communities” added Austin and McMahan, “We cannot do it alone.”
This fund will be administered by the Yancey Advancement Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit established by the Yancey County Economic Development Commission to promote community development initiatives.
All donations made to the Yancey County COVID-19 Response Fund are 100% tax deductible and 100% of all donations will be spent to complement the work and expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak as efficiently as possible during this difficult time.
All individuals or businesses who wish to partner in this effort may contribute to the fund in the following ways:
-By mailing a check made payable to the Yancey Advancement Foundation, Inc. to PO Box 246, Burnsville, NC 28714 with “COVID-19 Response Fund” noted on the memo line of the check
-By contributing online by accessing the donation button which can be found on the following websites: Yancey County Government at www.yanceycountync.gov, Town of Burnsville at www.townofburnsville.org, Yancey County Chamber of Commerce at www.yanceychamber.com
The Yancey Advancement Foundation will administer grants in partnership with other Yancey County community funding partners. Together we will proactively identify potential grant recipients, solicit guidance on potential recipients from community advisors, and recommend final awards. In order to move resources quickly and not further burden organizations on the frontlines of the pandemic, we are not hosting a formal application process at this time. Funds will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the multiple phases of the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs in subsequent funding phases. The Foundation expects to make an initial round of grants within the next few weeks.
For further information about the fund feel free to contact Yancey County Manager Lynn Austin at (828) 682-3971 or via email at Lynn.Austin@yanceycountync.gov or Jamie McMahan, Yancey EDC Director via phone at (828) 682-7722 or via email at Jamie.McMahan@yanceycountync.gov.