How Marin County’s Leaders Are Dealing with the Challenges of COVID-19 ...

... and how you can help their efforts.

In July 2020, we conducted 31 interviews with leaders from 26 organizations about 1 global virus.

Zoom interviews were 30 minutes in length and focused on each organization's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • As the COVID-19 crisis passes its 8th month in the U.S., its effect in Marin County reflects that of many counties throughout the country. Thousands have lost jobs. Rents are unpaid. Food is harder to access and afford. Parents are struggling to maintain the education and mental health of their children. And while Marin has been spared the high case and fatality count of many other locations, those that have been affected by the virus are disproportionately lower income people of color, highlighting the gaping inequities of the county.

    It is unquestionably a time of fear, heartbreak and stress.

    "Based on the first several months of the pandemic, what are you projecting will be the greatest areas of need in the future?"
  • 11 Food
    9 Cash Aid
    9 Rental / Housing
    3 Child Care
    3 Mental Health
    2 Personal Protection Equipment
    2 Domestic Violence Services
    2 COVID-19 Testing
    2 Services for COVID-19 Positives
    2 COVID-19 Information/Resources
    2 Advocacy/Policy

But is also proving itself to be a time of

resilience, learning and unification.

And nowhere has that been more evident than within the Marin nonprofit community.

  • The interviews we conducted were with the nonprofits on the front lines. We wanted to hear firsthand from these leaders, not only what they have been focused on for the past 6 months, but more importantly, what their plans are as they face the next months of the pandemic — both in terms of serving their constituents and maintaining their organizations.

  • The insights can help the county government, MCF and its donors, and the community at large, to direct support to where it’s needed most.

"We have shifted to meet the demands of the moment.”

A fast-changing environment.

  • What emerged from the interviews was a picture of a community adapting to an extremely fast changing environment. No entity could have been fully prepared for the impact of COVID-19, with its far reaching effect on not only physical health, but mental and economic health as well. But nonprofits sprung into action as never before. They quickly established partnerships and collaboratives, either regionally or by issue area, freely sharing resources and expertise.

Many pivoted their service models to provide support in areas where assistance was most needed.

  • Shifting Services

    Organizations not only shifted the types of services they provided, but also modified how they delivered services. With access to food emerging as a critical need, agencies became distribution hubs and extended outreach to restaurants, supermarkets and farmers markets. Many became COVID-19 testing sites.

  • Others partnered with the County and MCF to become hubs of rental assistance, quickly learning the documents and requirements to be able to effectively distribute much-needed rent checks.

    But in almost all instances, the nimbleness was not enough. There was an incredible increase in the number of folks that needed help, and in many cases, new faces.

  • The assistance that’s needed is broad and deep. Those that can least afford - and who are least equipped - to confront the pandemic are suffering terribly. And their situation is not likely to improve anytime soon. This virus has reminded us of the stark inequities that exist in the county and the critical need for policies that address the systemic issues surrounding equity.

“Inequities are glaring. Specific populations have increased needs — the most vulnerable have come to the forefront.”


  • "What members of the community do you anticipate will experience the greatest need as the pandemic continues?"

So what are we focused on at MCF?

  • apartment

    Rental Assistance

    These interviews confirm our concerns about the number of community members who might face homelessness in the next year. We continue to fund rental assistance and work with the government to address the issue. While some short-term rental assistance has been provided and the county has instituted an eviction moratorium, it is simply delaying the inevitable: renters will soon need to make good on their outstanding payments and many won’t be able to do so. In the words of one nonprofit leader “rental assistance is homelessness prevention,” state and federal assistance will be essential.

  • child_care

    Childcare

    The need for flexible, professional childcare has never been greater, especially for essential and service industry workers. Younger children need to be safe, nourished and stimulated, so we’ll continue to provide support to childcare sites. And with schools closed, older children are also left in the care of whatever family members, friends or neighbors are available. Many don’t have access to computers or wifi networks, meaning they are losing ground developmentally, socially and academically with every passing day. We’ll continue to support new network availability.

  • elderly

    Older Adult Populations

    And a segment of the community which often doesn’t get the attention it deserves is the older adult population. Particularly those who are isolated. “Older adults are at the highest risk and are disproportionately affected.” Many live alone, aren’t mobile and don’t have either access to or understanding of technology, which during this pandemic time is an essential utility. We’ll make sure they’re not forgotten.

  • local_atm

    Cash Assistance

    Cash assistance is fundamental to keeping people afloat, and we’ll continue to leverage new methods to get cash into the hands of those who need it quickly and without restrictions. Many of those who have lost their jobs were in the service industry, and are already struggling with low income. Government assistance, even when available is often delayed, so immediate financial support is of enormous benefit.

  • Food

    The pandemic is having an enormous impact on the need for food and on the mechanisms for distribution. For households already experiencing food insecurity, COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions have created new layers of hardship. Widespread layoffs and furloughs mean families have less money to buy groceries. Demand for food support through nonprofit safety nets has spiked, and food pantries and food banks are experiencing unprecedented increases in demand. Support will continue to go to critical nonprofits in Marin that provide access to food through food pantries and home delivery services. There will be an extra emphasis on providing food that is fresh, nutritious and simple to prepare.

Nonprofit Support

  • We’ll also be helping our nonprofit partners to evolve during this time, by lifting as many requirements as possible in our grantmaking. As trusted and seasoned agencies, they know best how to deploy their funding, so unrestricted funds and general operating support will be a priority. With workloads significantly higher, they need the independence to make their own decisions. Keeping their staff healthy, de-stressed and employed is job number one.

    This pandemic has also revealed the criticality of up-to-date technology capabilities. When computers are outdated and connectivity is spotty, it severely limits a nonprofit’s ability to function effectively. Investments in technology infrastructure is paramount.

  • Cords

“It’s a marathon, not a sprint”

  • The effect of this pandemic, from both a health and economic perspective, will be far-reaching in the community. Individuals, families and the nonprofits who serve them will be changed forever.

  • But we have learned that this is a resilient county, and the nonprofits who form the foundation of it are becoming stronger. They understand the importance of agility, creativity, tech savvy, and collaboration. They understand the importance of investing in their people and their unique competencies. They understand that while you have to plan for the future, you also have to be able to execute right now.

    With our support, they will become even stronger. If you’re interested in helping us, please consider making a donation to the COVID-19 Fund of MCF.