Oakland CARES Act: Nonprofit Grant Program

The Oakland CARES Act Nonprofit Grant Program distributed $850,000 in grants to Oakland-based community-serving nonprofit organizations.

Posted: February 4th, 2021 2:20 PM

Last Updated: March 31st, 2021 6:30 PM

Grant Program Overview

Through a $1 million grant agreement between EWD and Community Vision, the Oakland CARES Act Nonprofit Grant Program distributed grants and provided technical assistance to community servicing nonprofit organizations with annual budgets of less than $1 million that provide programs and services to address the impact of COVID-19 and the needs of low-income residents and businesses in the areas of:

  • Health & Human Services
  • Economic & Workforce Development
  • Legal Support
  • Food Security
  • Homeless and Renter Support Services
  • Education

While the needs of our community have increased during the pandemic, many community nonprofits have seen their funding dry up, putting both the organizations and those they serve at greater risk. Grants ranging from $785 to $25,000, with the average award of about $20,823, went to 41 nonprofits.

In addition to the grantmaking, Community Vision hosted a three-part nonprofit financial management webinar series in December that attracted 316 total registrants.

Recipient Demographics

pie chart showing the services provided by the nonprofit grant recipients

The pie chart at left shows the full gamut of services provided by the grantees. 32 out of the 41 grantees provided more than one of the target services.

Of the 41 grant recipients, 38 completed Community Vision's survey that asked for demographic details.

Of the 38 respondents, 36 were BIPOC-led organizations, with 17 identified as Black-led.

Map showing the geographic distribution of the grantees by business address.

Nonprofit grant recipients were located throughout all of Oakland.

Testimonials

“We are deeply grateful for the notice that we have been selected as an Oakland CARES grant recipient,” said Precious J. Stroud, Founder of the BlackFemaleProject. “We are in the midst of an exciting growth period with revenue goals to build sustainability. During this time when so much is uncertain, women will be able to count on BlackFemaleProject for support and resources.”

"These funds are desperately needed and could not have come at a better time. Much gratitude to all involved. Your work is meaningful and impactful."
- Salah Elbakri, Executive Director, Support Life Foundation

"On behalf of all of us at Fred Finch, I’d like to extend our extreme gratitude for your advocacy and support of our work. These funds will truly make an impact on our program and residents as we continue to face such uncertainty in response to the pandemic." - Julie Henderson, Director of Development, Fred Finch Youth & Family Services

Related Documents and Web Pages

Main CARES Act Web Page

Media Release on Launch of Oakland CARES Act Nonprofit Grant Program