Jefferson Community Foundation will close the COVID Response and Recovery Fund after one last round of allocations.

Since March 2020, the fund has allotted more than $835,000 in grants to arts and culture organizations presenting events that contribute to the recovery and resilience of Jefferson County residents.

With a focus on reopening and reconnecting the community through performance and visual art, and cultural events, the foundation’s Grantmaking Committee seeks to support arts and culture nonprofits and community-serving government agencies with $100,000 in funding.

“Cultural heritage and the arts are critical to Jefferson County’s identity and our economic prosperity, this we have long known, but the pandemic and resulting isolation has now more than ever shown us the healing and restorative power of arts and culture to community,” said Siobhan Canty, president and CEO of Jefferson Community Foundation.

In the past year, organizations like Key City Public Theatre and the Quimper Grange have received funding which has been used to purchase and install ventilation systems for safer gatherings.

Proposals should demonstrate the nurturing effect of the arts and culture on individuals and community, help reopen communal gathering spaces, affirm a sense of place, spark widespread joy and/or foster local community connections, said Jen Kingfisher, the nonprofit relations manager at Jefferson Community Foundation.

“This is about reviving connections that had been severed by the pandemic,” Kingfisher said. “We are most interested in projects that will reactivate arts and culture programs and venues for our community’s enjoyment and an improved quality of life.”

Applications can be submitted online now until midnight Friday, July 2.

For eligibility rules and other restrictions, visit JCFgives.org.

The funding for these grants comes from the generous charitable giving of local individuals, businesses, and organizations. These donations have been matched by JCF through the All in WA program.