Our region’s nonprofit community is facing unprecedented challenges, from funding cuts to sudden contract cancellations. The Rapid Response Fund provides urgent, short-term relief grants to help organizations navigate these disruptions and continue offering essential services. This fund is dedicated to addressing immediate needs and ensuring the resilience of nonprofits serving our most vulnerable populations.
As we find ourselves in uncharted territory in 2025, many of our nonprofit partners are facing an unprecedented wave of funding challenges that threaten their ability to provide essential services. At the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, we recognize the urgent need to respond, and we’re stepping forward with a new Rapid Response Fund to help nonprofits navigate these difficult times.
The nonprofit sector is facing drastic funding cuts. These cuts are often sudden, causing disruptions, program cancellations, and concerns about staffing. Without quick action, these challenges could have long-term consequences for the health and wellbeing of our community.
Our Rapid Response Fund is designed to provide short-term financial relief to organizations dealing with the immediate effects of funding reductions. Our goal is to support essential community services and ensure nonprofits can continue their vital work during this critical time. The Rapid Response Fund is not intended to sustain programs impacted by long-term funding cuts.
This fund will help cover:
The Health Foundation will continue to monitor the use of the Rapid Response Fund and assess emerging community needs. Each request will be reviewed by an internal team—including program and finance staff—with input from key community leaders and other funders to ensure resources are being used efficiently and effectively.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis; however, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Required documentation includes current financial information (most recent 990, organizational budget, proof of loss).
Click on the button below to access the application form within our grant management portal, Submittable. (Click HERE for instructions on how to create an account in Submittable).
As we work together to navigate these challenges, the Health Foundation remains committed to standing alongside the nonprofits and organizations that are essential to the wellbeing of our communities. We look forward to supporting your work through this crucial initiative!
Please reach out to us directly at rapidresponse@thegrhf.org with any questions or for additional information. We are here to help.
We’d love to hear from you
