BOSTON
- Monday, March 16, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the
formation and launch of the Boston
Resiliency Fund, which will coordinate the City's fundraising and
philanthropic efforts to provide essential services to Boston residents
whose health and well-being are most immediately impacted by the
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and assist first responders
and critical care providers. The Fund is being launched together with the
support of a growing number of private and philanthropic partners,
including the Vertex Foundation, Partners HealthCare, Jack Connors, Liberty
Mutual, Gross Family Foundation, Bain Capital, John Hancock, John &
Cyndy Fish, Mass Mutual and Shah Family Foundation.
"In
the face of big challenges, our city shows its true colors. We've been
seeing incredible acts of kindness and generosity and the Boston Resiliency
Fund is a perfect example of that," said Mayor Walsh. "Through
this fund, we are coordinating Boston's philanthropic efforts to support
families that are facing the greatest need right now. I want to thank
everyone who has already contributed, and look forward to seeing how we
will all come together during this critical time of need to support one
another."
The
emerging and immediate priorities of the Boston Resiliency Fund are to
provide food to Boston's children and older adults, technology to Boston
Public Schools students for remote learning, and support to first
responders and health care workers so they can effectively do their jobs.
While the Fund is initially focused on basic needs and critical services,
the priorities of the Fund will continue to evolve as the COVID-19
situation and the needs of Boston residents change.
Over
the course of its first day, nearly $10 million has been raised to support
the Fund,initiated by a $1 million donation by Vertex
Pharmaceuticals.
"While
we are facing unprecedented circumstances, we will - through the strength
and compassion of our communities and the resilience of our people - find
ways to meet the challenges that lay ahead," said Vertex Chairman,
President and CEO Jeffrey Leiden MD, PhD. "The Vertex Foundation is
honored to support this important initiative, which will help provide local
families with much-needed resources during this time of uncertainty and
hardship. We are proud to be a part of a community that has come
together to make sure that families in need have somewhere to turn."
Other
individuals, foundations and corporations making commitments include:
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Boston Foundation,
Charles River Labs, Dunkin, Elaine Schuster, Gross Family Foundation,
Highland Street Foundation, John Hancock, John Rosenthal, John W. Henry
Family Foundation, Red Sox Family Foundation, Robert Kraft, The Lynch
Foundation, Sarepta, and Steve & Roberta Weiner.
The
funds raised will be awarded to nonprofit organizations who provide
immediate support and relief to residents of Boston across a spectrum of different
needs and priorities. In the coming days, the City will also build a
governance structure to inform grantmaking. The City expects grants from
this Fund to be made on a rolling basis, beginning within the next few
weeks and will share more information about the funding process in the
coming weeks, as the fund grows. Updates will be published on boston.gov/boston-resiliency-fund.
The
Boston Resiliency Fund will exist within the Boston Charitable Trust, an
existing 501(c)(3) designated trust fund managed by the City of Boston's
Treasury Department. For more information on how to make a donation, please
visit: boston.gov/boston-resiliency-fund.
For general inquiries, please email brf@boston.gov.
To
protect Bostonians and their families from the spread of the virus,
residents are reminded to practice caution: wash your hands often with soap
and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with
at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid shaking hands; cover your coughs and
sneezes; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and
avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you think you might be
sick, please call your doctor or 311 to be connected to the Mayor's Health
Line. Residents are also reminded to practice social distancing: keep your
distance from others (six feet apart); avoid crowded places.
Residents
are asked to not call 9-1-1 unless you are experiencing a medical
emergency. The City and BPHC will continue to provide updated information
on bphc.org and boston.gov/coronavirus.
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