The health and safety of Arizona Grantmakers Forum members and team is our top priority. Amid the current health concerns regarding the COVID-19 global outbreak, the World Health Organization’s official pandemic declaration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance to limit large gatherings, Arizona Grantmakers would like to share the specific steps we are taking to keep our team, membership and local communities healthy.

Monitoring the Situation
Arizona Grantmakers Forum is closely monitoring developments related to the rapidly changing COVID-19 outbreak and is actively following recommendations of the CDC, WHO and the Arizona Department of Health Services. Internally, our team is compiling philanthropic preparedness and response resources which are available below.

Taking Care of Our Team
While the Arizona Grantmakers office located within Arizona Community Foundation remains open and operational as of today, we have implemented new policies within our organization to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. On Wednesday, March 18, the Arizona Grantmakers team will begin telecommuting and work from the office on an as-needed basis.

Reshaping Upcoming Events to Ensure Your Safety
In compliance with the CDC’s directive to avoid large group gatherings of 10 people or more, all Arizona Grantmakers programs and meetings taking place before April 1, 2020, will be transformed into webinars or conference calls to ensure the health and safety of our attendees. If you have registered for a program or meeting taking place this month, you will receive more detailed information before the event date. We will determine the trajectory of our April events in accordance with the latest updates from public health authorities. Should we decide to postpone or cancel Arizona Grantmakers events, we will send updates to members via email.

Coordinating Philanthropic Responses
The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is far-reaching and includes major implications for nonprofits and the communities that the serve. Philanthropy has an important role to play in supporting and enhancing the government response, especially in support of our most vulnerable communities. To support your critical work and ensure coordination across our state, Arizona Grantmakers is hosting a funders video call on March 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. During this call, participants will hear from a representative from AZDHS and local funders on what they see their role is, share about specific needs they are hearing about in the community and discuss opportunities to collaborate. To learn more and RSVP, click here.

Curating Resources from Our Members and Partners
For member organizations that are interested in responding to heightened community needs related to the coronavirus, please see the resources below.

• Webinar Recording: How Philanthropy Can Support and Enhance Government Response to COVID-19 – Philanthropy California
• Webinar Recording: Preparing Foundations and Nonprofit Organizations for Coronavirus – Minnesota Council on Foundations
• Webinar Recording: COVID-19 Coronavirus: How Philanthropy Can Respond – Center for Disaster Philanthropy
• COVID-19: Seven Things Philanthropy Can Do – FSG
• COVID–19 Response Fund – Hosted by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, this fund provides an opportunity for donors to meet the ongoing and ever-expanding challenges presented by this virus
• COVID-19 Resources for the Disability Community – Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
• Updates for Philanthropy – Center for Disaster Philanthropy
• State Updates – Arizona Department of Health Services
• National Updates – CDC
• Global Updates – WHO

If you have additional resources to share or if your organization has implemented other policies to respond to COVID-19, please contact Kim Garbacz.

While the severity of COVID-19 remains unknown, Arizona Grantmakers will remain proactive in out efforts to prevent the spread of this unpredictable virus and keep our communities informed. We thank you for your understanding and patience during the coming days and weeks. If you have any additional questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact us.