A new challenge is upon us. As we continue this journey, please review some of the ways Vitalyst has responded so far, and then send us your feedback on how we can continue to work together to do more.  

Given the rapid pace of change, Vitalyst has been accelerating network communication and coordination. We’ve participated in weekly coordination conference calls with dozens of funders through Arizona Grantmakers Forum to coordinate rapid–response funding. Likewise, we are providing input to Arizona’s Congressional delegation – particularly regarding tribal, rural, and nonprofit needs – as federal funding like the CARES Act and other stimulus packages are developed.  

We’ve been working directly with the Arizona Department of Health Services to rapidly expand telemedicine services statewide, coordinating closely with our first responders network, and communicating with Maricopa County Department of Public Health on distribution of Personal Protective Equipment for care providers. We continue to accelerate the already urgent work on housing, particularly on evictions, as well as mixed income and permanent supportive housing. Throughout this time, we are dedicating financial and staffing resources to ensuring a complete Arizona Census count. 

Vitalyst has further allocated $75,000 as part of a private-funder partnership to support restoration of Arizona 211 and $100,000 to support increased health insurance enrollment outreach in order to help those who have suddenly lost coverage. We also provided financial operations support for this year’s record-breaking, nearly $5 million Arizona Gives Day. We are ardent supporters of getting relief funds out as quickly as possible, which is why Vitalyst immediately allocated $200,000 and considerable staff time to the COVID-19 relief funds at the Arizona Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona. To-date, hundreds of applications have been reviewed and millions of dollars have already been released. 

More plans are underway and more help is coming. What more can or should we do? While resources are not limitless, your input and ideas matter: please take a few minutes to click here and send us your thoughts.