April 15, 2020 – PARK CITY, UTAH – Park City Community Foundation has raised over $1 million for its Community Response Fund to help support basic needs and emergency assistance for locals disproportionately suffering economic consequences from the coronavirus pandemic.
As a tourist area, Summit County has been particularly vulnerable to coronavirus, with a high COVID-19 case load per-capita. Due to COVID-19 closures, hundreds of Park City locals lost their jobs at resorts and in the hospitality sector, and cannot meet basic expenses including rent and groceries.
“There has never been a more important moment to work together to solve our community’s most pressing problems,” says Park City Community Foundation Executive Director Katie Wright. “Through collaboration with nonprofit organizations, government, businesses, philanthropists, and public health providers, we are harnessing resources from the Community Response Fund to help locals in the most need accelerate a return to everyday life.”
Some city leaders forecast closures impacting the lucrative summer tourist season and say the local economy may not rebound until the holidays. Park City’s nonprofit organizations are also struggling—many have had to cancel events and close their doors temporarily.
“One million dollars is a great milestone, but we know that this amount will only help address some of the needs in the urgent phase of COVID-19, and that much more will be needed for the path to stabilization and recovery in the months to come,” says Wright.
Initial grants from the Community Response Fund have helped fund trusted local health and human services nonprofits with extensive experience assisting gig economy workers, communities of color, and residents without health insurance, benefits or English language proficiency.
Christian Center of Park City received grants totaling $225,000 and is open to any resident. Executive Director Rob Harter says, “520 families have applied for assistance to date, which represents more than 2,000 people in our small town. Thanks to Park City Community Foundation’s grant, we ensured that all those families could pay their rent in April, but we have several challenging months ahead of us. We expect many more applications to come in.”
Another grantee, Jewish Family Services of Utah, assists people of all backgrounds. Executive Director Ellen Silver says, “It’s heartbreaking to see the stress and worry that many families are experiencing. We want to get the word out to people who might hesitate to ask for help, that it’s really okay to do that at this time. We are doing everything we can to help with rent, utilities, medication, and mental health services.”
Almost 300 donors have given to the Community Response Fund, with gifts that started at $15. Park City Community Foundation dedicated $50,000 from its operating reserves to the fund. The City Government of Park City also granted $50,000, Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust and Vail Resorts provided $200,000, and many donors offered matching grants.
Information about the Community Response Fund, including how to contribute, current donors, and grantees can be found at parkcitycf.org/communityresponsefund.
How to get help: People living in greater Park City who are struggling with job loss and other challenges due to the coronavirus outbreak, can contact the Christian Center at www.ccofpc.org, 435-649-2260, or JFS at www.jfsutah.org, 435-731-8455.
About Park City Community Foundation: Park City Community Foundation plays a vital role in solving the most challenging problems in Park City. We care for and invest in our people, place, and culture by bringing together local nonprofits, donors, and community leaders to contribute financial resources and innovative ideas to benefit all the people of Park City—now and in the future. As the home of Live PC Give PC, Women’s Giving Fund, Solomon Fund, and other important initiatives, the Community Foundation has brought millions of dollars to the greater Park City community and Summit County. Learn more about donating, volunteering, fundraising and getting involved at parkcitycf.org.
Media Contact: Christine Coleman, christine@parkcitycf.org, 415-209-8506
Posted in: Donors, Our Impact, COVID-19
Tagged: COVID-19