As a community, we must confront systemic racism, demand solutions, lift up unheard voices, lead uncomfortable conversations and work to ensure a better tomorrow for us all.

As a Foundation, we condemn both previous and recent violence against people of color.

And as friends and neighbors, our leadership was honored to join the clergy who made the following pledge (right):

Foundation For The Carolinas and the City of Charlotte have partnered to launch the Access to Capital Small Business Recovery grants program thanks to $30 million in federal CARES Act funding. Grants of either $10,000 or $25,000 will be available to small businesses (25 employees or fewer) headquartered within Charlotte city limits that have been affected by the pandemic.

Local agencies and nonprofits are already feeling the strain to deal with increased needs in the community.

Foundation For The Carolinas and United Way of Central Carolinas have launched the COVID-19 Response Fund to support a range of organizations assisting people most affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The CARES Act is a $2 trillion economic relief package containing provisions to help nonprofits that are strained as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We've highlighted a few key sections that directly relate to the needs of nonprofit organizations.

The Brave of Heart Fund has been established at E4E Relief, a subsidiary of FFTC, to support surviving families of healthcare workers who lose their lives to COVID-19 while caring for others. The New York Life Foundation and Cigna Foundation launched the fund with $25 million each in contributions. Other generous donors have joined the effort to support survivor families in need through the Brave of Heart Fund.

Make a donation to the fund or learn how to apply at BraveofHeartFund.com.

Remembering John Crosland Jr.'s desire to make an impact, the Crosland Foundation board supported local nonprofits with emergency COVID-19 grants.