The Quicken Loans Community Fund and Gilbert Family Foundation announced a combined $1.2 million donation to address the ongoing impact of coronavirus in Detroit. The investment includes:
- $250,000 donations by both the Quicken Loans Community Fund and Gilbert Family Foundation into the United Way for Southeastern Michigan COVID-19 Community Response Fund that will support vulnerable populations and the nonprofits serving those in need amid the coronavirus pandemic ($500,000 total)
- A $250,000 investment by the Gilbert Family Foundation to the United Community Housing Coalition to address housing instability, including mortgage, rental and utility assistance, as well as additional issues exacerbated by the effects of coronavirus on the community
- $450,000 to be provided as flexible investments by the Quicken Loans Community Fund for small businesses and existing grant partners to ensure they can maintain operations in the weeks ahead
“As Detroit’s largest employer and in an effort to prioritize the health, well-being and safety of our team members and community, it was important to Quicken Loans and the Rock Family of Companies to have our team members work from home over the coming weeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” says Jay Farner, CEO of Quicken Loans. “However, we understand that the coronavirus pandemic is going to cause unique consequences for our home community, which is why we are announcing a $1.2 million investment from the Quicken Loans Community Fund and Gilbert Family Foundation to support Detroit nonprofits and those in need during this difficult time.”
“Our actions today will impact the trajectory of the coronavirus tomorrow, which is why it is so critical that we, as a philanthropic community, immediately support Detroit residents through direct investments in families and those nonprofits that provide crucial services,” says Jennifer Gilbert, co-founder of the Gilbert Family Foundation. “The Gilbert Family Foundation is proud to invest in United Way and United Community Housing Coalition in order to mitigate the impacts of this virus today and for the foreseeable future. We encourage other organizations to join us in supporting this necessary cause.”
The United Way for Southeastern Michigan COVID-19 Community Response Fund will directly support families and nonprofits to ensure access to healthcare, emergency financial supports and food, as well as addressing long-term needs that result from loss of jobs and income.
“We are grateful to the Quicken Loans Community Fund and Gilbert Family Foundation for their leadership in helping to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations and organizations in Metro Detroit,” says Dr. Darienne Driver Hudson, president and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “There are 681,000 households in our area already struggling to meet their basic needs who are especially vulnerable to the potential impact of COVID-19, and this donation will ensure support and continuity of service for these families.”
The Quicken Loans Community Fund has also set up a matching fundraising campaign for team members in its home communities of Detroit, Cleveland, Phoenix and Charlotte. Team members will be able to donate funds that will be directed to local nonprofits providing vital services to local residents throughout the coronavirus pandemic. These organizations include:
- Detroit – Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Focus: HOPE, Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners Community Food Bank
- Cleveland – Cleveland Food Bank and the United Way of Greater Cleveland
- Phoenix – St. Mary’s Food Bank, the Area Agency on Aging of Phoenix and the Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun United Way
- Charlotte – Second Harvest Food Bank and the United Way of Central Carolinas
“Today, we are living in a moment of uncertainty, but I am steadied by the fact that so many of our team members and partners have come together to learn more about how each of us can do our part,” says Laura Grannemann, vice president of the Quicken Loans Community Fund. “By investing alongside our 30,000 team members across the country and providing flexible funds to grant partners and small businesses in need, we are working together to build the health and resilience of our communities.”
The Quicken Loans Community Fund is the philanthropic arm of the nation’s largest mortgage lender, Quicken Loans, Bedrock and the affiliated companies, which comprise the Rock Family of Companies. The Quicken Loans Community Fund has invested $200 million into Detroit organizations and programming, and team members have contributed 725,000 volunteer hours nationwide, including 400,000 in Quicken Loans’ hometown of Detroit.
For more information, please visit www.quickenloans.org.
