Anchorum St. Vincent Announces Covid-19 Emergency Response Grants

Santa Fe, New Mexico – Anchorum St. Vincent, a Community Health Impact Organization, has announced a $330,000 commitment for Covid-19 emergency response grants to support the needs of frontline health workers of Christus St. Vincent, as well as critical community-based health and social services organizations serving vulnerable populations most affected by Covid-19 crisis in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico. 

Peter Bastone, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anchorum St. Vincent said “To meet the unprecedented challenges caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, philanthropy must act quickly to support our frontline and community-based service providers and provide as much continued flow of resources as possible.”  Mr. Bastone continued, “The public health emergency and the resulting economic and social crisis will take a disproportionate toll on the marginalized populations served by our nonprofit partners as well as on the agencies themselves.  At the same time, the capacity of our hospitals and health clinics will be strained as the crisis and the community’s collective response to it continue to unfold over the next several weeks and beyond.”  

An initial round of $150,000 in funding for community-based health and social services organizations will be provided in partnership with Santa Fe Community Foundation (SFCF)’s Covid-19 Response Fund.  Since the launch of the fund, the Santa Fe Community Foundation has coordinated rapid response grants for nonprofits and leveraged funding from across the donor community.  The emergency grant from Anchorum St. Vincent to the Covid-19 Response Fund will be used as a Challenge Grant to help continue mobilization of the donor community and raise an additional $150,000 for the SFCF Covid-19 Response Fund.   Anchorum’s grant funding will specifically support the following organizations to help ensure access to critical health care, food and other wraparound support services for the most vulnerable populations while stabilizing their nonprofit operations during this volatile time: 

• Interfaith Community Shelter
• Elizabeth’s Shelter
• Youth Shelter & Family Services
• Esperanza Shelter
• Solace Crisis Treatment Center
• La Familia Medical Center
• Food Depot
• Kitchen Angels
• SFPS Adelante Program
• Communities In Schools
• United Way of Santa Fe County

“It is essential that our efforts be coordinated and targeted in the face of this crisis.” Mr. Bastone continued.   “We are responding to emerging needs with a sense of urgency and commitment.  At the same time, working with other philanthropic and community partners, we seek to understand the medium and long-term implications of the pandemic on northern New Mexicans, and work proactively in addressing multifaceted challenges and, where possible, identifying creative solutions to turn the crisis into transformative opportunities for our communities.”  

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Anchorum St. Vincent is a Community Health Impact Organization, investing in the well-being of Santa Fe and northern New Mexico.

The Anchorum St. Covid-19 Emergency Response Grants will support emergency response and stabilization efforts of local organizations and the Christus St. Vincent hospital including, but not limited to: 

• Managing increased demand for critical health and social services including shelters, health services, food, and other wraparound services related to Covid-19
• Addressing disruptions in programs and adapting service delivery in response to social distancing requirements as well as additional required protocols for hygiene
• Managing impact of staff and volunteer shortages
• Mitigating critical financial instability threatening organization’s sustainability due to decline in reimbursements, fundraising and other revenue caused by Covid-19
• Flexible emergency fund for families or individuals served by the organization and/or its employees affected by the Covid-19 and its negative economic impact
• Serving hard to reach/serve populations including uninsured, immigrants, rural communities, and those affected by domestic violence and/or disabilities
• Addressing shortages in Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and other medical and/or cleaning supplies such as masks, gowns, face shields, gloves and sanitizers
• Assisting in frontline staff needs while working including childcare and elder care affected by Covid-19 crisis measures (e.g., closure of school and childcare centers)
• Paying for hotel rooms/lodging and transportation for staff or patients/clients that need to be quarantined if they are tested Covid-19 positive, while waiting for test results or for other purposes of reducing virus spread risk at program site

To donate to the Santa Fe Community Foundation’s Covid-19 Response Fund:

• Visit SantaFeCF.org or call (505) 988-9715.
• Text “covid” to (505) 333-4714 to give.
• Checks should be mailed to SFCF PO Box 1827, Santa Fe, NM 87504.