3 weeks in existence, COVID-19 relief fund raises nearly $20M

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New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund said Monday that in less than three weeks since its incorporation over $20M in funds have been raised.

NJPRF is a nonprofit organization hosted by the Community Foundation of New Jersey orchestrated to raise funds, organize and coordinate resources to fight the medical, social and economic impact of COVID-19 on New Jersey’s most vulnerable.

It has gained support from celebrities and major organizations in the state.

When the organization was launched in March, First Lady and Founding Chair of NJPRF Tammy Murphy said: “The COVID-19 virus has already had far-reaching societal ramifications that have overwhelmingly and disproportionally impacted low- to-middle-income residents and New Jersey’s small business community.”

Last month, the fund awarded grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to 110 service organizations tied to organizations affiliated with the three main food banks in the state – Community FoodBank of NJ, the South Jersey Food Bank and Fulfill. One hundred percent of all online donations go to help those in need, fund officials said.

In Monday’s announcement, the fund thanked several donors for their support.

“We are grateful to Ray Chambers, Laura and John Overdeck and the David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc. both for stepping up at the outset with significant financial resources, and also for committing individual teams to work full time on this effort at every level of the organization,” a news release from the fund said. “Their contributions are enabling the fund to have a direct impact on the most vulnerable across the great state of New Jersey.”

The fund has more than 2,000 donors ranging from individuals, unions, foundations and corporations, according to the group.