Coronavirus Update for ZFF Grantees

These are extraordinary times. Thank you to all of our partners who continue to support communities throughout the Bay Area despite the uncertainty, distractions, and fear that so many of us feel.

Like most of you, ZFF has closed its office. All staff are working remotely and are available by phone or email. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding this crisis, your grant, or the work of the foundation in general.

ZFF Grantees
We recognize that the COVID-19 outbreak has compromised if not completely disrupted the work of many ZFF grantees. We are committed to your success and will work with you to resolve any challenges in completing the terms and conditions of your grant due to the coronavirus. We are particularly mindful of the dramatic impact that the coronavirus and the corresponding social distancing and shelter-in-place orders have had on our Community Arts grantees. Please note that we will work with you and our peer funders throughout the region to develop a quick and effective response. Please keep us posted on your work and let us know how we might help during this difficult time.

Multiple Rapid Response Funds have been established to support the non-profit community throughout the Bay Area, including those with the San Francisco Foundation, the East Bay Community Foundation, the Napa Valley Community Foundation, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. For a comprehensive list of rapid response funds throughout the state please visit Philanthropy California. We will continue to update you on response and relief efforts as information becomes available.

Community Arts COVID Response Grants
As part of a cohesive effort to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Arts program is taking the following steps to reflect our broad commitment to supporting the arts community. The foundation has contributed to the Arts Loan Fund, a collaborative philanthropy fund providing low interest loans to arts organizations, and has made contributions to the Arts Worker Relief Fund to support individual arts workers who are facing a loss of income due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

The foundation is also introducing the Community Arts COVID Response Grants. All Community Arts grants including Project, Stability, Collaboration and Training grants have been temporarily suspended and replaced with the Community Arts COVID Response Grants (Response Grants). Response Grants will provide general operating support to arts and culture organizations in Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco counties suffering revenue loss due to the closure of venues and cancellation of events. Response grants will be for organizational stability/general operating support, and will be awarded for $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000. Applications will be evaluated by foundation staff in partnership with the ZFF Community Arts Panel. More information can be found here.

Upcoming Community Arts COVID Response Grant Deadlines

June 8 – 22, 2020 for a September 8, 2020 decision
September 7 – 21, 2020 for a December 1, 2020 decision

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the specified due date.

Response Grants will be available through the remainder of the 2020 calendar year; foundation staff will continue to monitor and evaluate the changing circumstances to determine the duration of this change.

Now more than ever, we need to look out for one another. Please do what you can to keep your teams, families, and communities safe. Check in on any neighbors or friends who might need your help, and follow the guidelines and recommendations established by your county public health department.

The following list of resources can be accessed for the most current updates on the spread of the Coronavirus.