A collaboration of 15 Black-led organizations were awarded $200,000 from the United Way of Dane County COVID-19 Relief Fund last week. The Dane County Collaboration of Black Service Providers (DCCBSP) is composed of small, grassroots to mid-sized community-based organizations who have been mobilizing since early March to meet the needs of those most affected by COVID-19. The collaboration will be managed by lead-applicant Brandi Grayson, founder and CEO of Urban Triage and Karen Reece, Vice President of Nehemiah Community Development Corporation. DCCBSP represents an unprecedented partnership to mobilize a coordinated effort aimed at mitigating and minimizing the health, economic, and social impacts of the current crisis on communities of color.

“Our organizations have spent years building trust within Black communities and within systems and are deeply rooted in the communities we serve,” says Grayson. “The collaboration has created a people-centered process by providing a coordinated rapid response to immediate needs.”

Each of the 15 organizations have been inundated with urgent requests for assistance that far exceed their individual capacities. The funds will be divided evenly among each organization to serve individuals and families in their areas of expertise. The collaborative will connect individuals and families directly to organizations that can best meet their needs as well as coordinate to provide wrap around services efficiently.