The Community Foundation of the Valleys sent out the first of its COVID-19 relief grants to three local nonprofit organizations: the Valley Economic Alliance, the Santa Clarita Grocery Food Bank and Hope of the Valley. The Valley Economic Alliance, also located in Sherman Oaks, received $5,000. “The grant from the Community Foundation of the Valleys will help us continue to serve small businesses through one-on-one technical assistance programs, through a webinar education program and through an e-newsletter that highlights available business service programs,” Randy Witt, chair of the economic alliance, said in an email to the Business Journal. “Business assistance programs are making a significant impact in helping small businesses navigate through the COVID-19 crisis.” The Santa Clarita food bank received $10,000, while Hope of the Valley, which operates homeless shelters and is based in Van Nuys, also received $10,000. According to a statement from the community foundation, these grants will be the first of many. “We are continuing to raise funds toward our $150,000 goal,” said Brigette Loden, executive director of the foundation. “But in the meantime, we know how important it is for nonprofits to get these unrestricted funds as quickly as possible.” Following a grant of $50,000 from the Weingart Foundation and a matching gift of $50,000 from the Wolf Family Foundation, the community foundation is soliciting donations from individuals, businesses and other foundations to raise another $50,000 or more in hopes of reaching its goal of $150,000. The community foundation was founded in 2003 but reorganized and rebranded itself to include the Santa Clarita Valley in 2017. The main purpose of the community foundation is to support Valley-area nonprofits. Besides Loden as executive director, the foundation is chaired by Tamara Gurney, the founder and chief executive of Mission Valley Bank. Contributions to the community foundation can be made via the foundation’s website or by mail.
