CDC Foundation Launches Crowdfunding Campaign to Extend and Accelerate Public Health Coronavirus Response

Support raised will advance on-the-ground response efforts to complement government funding   

Atlanta, GA—The CDC Foundation today announced the launch of a crowdfunding campaign aimed at raising hundreds of millions dollars needed to bolster public health response efforts to address the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which now has cases in more than 40 U.S. states and in more than 115 countries. This funding will be used to support the CDC Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund to address a wide variety of in-the-moment, on-the-ground needs from public health responders, at the local, state, national and international level.

“This crowdfunding campaign provides an incredible opportunity for individuals, philanthropies and corporations to take part in the response to the expanding coronavirus pandemic,” said Judy Monroe, MD, president and chief executive officer of the CDC Foundation. “When we bring our resources together, we can make a tremendous impact and coordinate our efforts to tackle this dangerous public health threat.”

In the campaign, which is themed “All of Us: Combat Coronavirus,” the CDC Foundation is working with Charidy.com, a global crowdfunding firm with a track record of helping nonprofits fundraise rapidly and successfully. The campaign will involve fundraising, media and social media to raise support for the COVID-19 emergency response. The campaign also has a unique focus on team-based fundraising for organizations to engage their workforces.

Funds raised in the campaign will be used to:

• help communities prevent, detect and respond to COVID-19
• deploy emergency staffing with the skills required to meet the needs on the front lines at the state and local level
• fund and deliver critical home essentials, such as food and medical needs to quarantined and isolated individuals
• develop education and awareness campaigns to advance prevention and reduce stigma
• build capacity and infrastructure for global response efforts and other immediate needs as they evolve

The CDC Foundation launched its Emergency Response Fund in late January. To date, the Fund has raised support for a variety of public health efforts, including the purchase of lab equipment and establishment of contracts for overtime pay in 11 public health labs and support for personal care and medical items for individuals who are quarantined as well as transportation and support for delayed travelers.

“Even with the U.S. government emergency funding package that has been signed into law, there are a wide variety of urgent demands where government support will not be available or available in time to meet all the rapidly-changing needs on the ground,” said Monroe. “That’s where donations from individuals, philanthropies and corporations can fill critical gaps and make a tremendous difference. All of us are needed to combat coronavirus.”

Contributions to the CDC Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law and can be made on the crowdfunding site at give4cdcf.org or by phone or mail. To discuss giving opportunities, including an in-kind donation or forming a crowdfunding team through this campaign, contact Advancement at the CDC Foundation: by email at advancement@cdcfoundation.org or 404-523-1873.