The Community Foundation of the North State (CFNS) announced the first round of grants awarded from its newly established Critical Response Funds serving Shasta and Siskiyou Counties. These funds were created to support nonprofits providing urgent, on-the-ground assistance to residents facing immediate needs during the period of federal benefit delays and disruptions.
The Critical Response Funds were launched in early November as local organizations reported escalating demand for essential services, including access to food, housing support, utility stability, and other basic needs. CFNS responded by establishing county-specific funds designed to move resources quickly to where they are needed most.
“Our nonprofit partners are doing extraordinary work to keep families stable during this challenging time,” said Kerry Caranci, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation of the North State. “These funds have allowed us to act swiftly and responsibly, ensuring that more of our community’s generosity reaches the organizations meeting urgent needs on the front lines.”
Organizations receiving the initial round of support include:
Shasta County
• Mercy Foundation North for Dignity Health Connected Living (DHCL): $10,000 to facilitate food distribution throughout Shasta County. DHCL will work with local organizations across Shasta County including but not limited to Anderson Cottonwood Christian Association, Good News Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, Shasta County Office of Education, Shasta Lake City, Burney CO-OP and anyone who has a contract with Shasta County Food Bank aka DHCL to distribute food to the public.
Siskiyou County
• Siskiyou Community Resource Center: $1,500 for Dunsmuir Community Resource Center Thanksgiving dinners
• Siskiyou Food Assistance: $6,000 to add 100 Thanksgiving dinners and increase weekly food distribution
• Happy Camp Community Action Agency: $2,400 for food distribution to those in need
• Great Northern: $10,000 to support food distribution throughout Siskiyou County
• Karuk Tribe: $3,500 to support food distribution to those in need
• Shasta Indian Nation: $3,500 to support food distribution to those in need
Additional grant awards will be determined on a rolling basis as funding allows and will be awarded to organizations providing direct assistance.
Donations can be sent to the Community Foundation at 1335 Arboretum Drive, Suite B Redding, CA 96003 or online at:
Shasta Critical Response Fund: https://cfnorthstate.org/donations/shasta-critical-response-fund/
Siskiyou Critical Response Fund: https://cfnorthstate.org/donations/siskiyou-critical-response-fund/
Tehama Critical Response Fund: https://cfnorthstate.org/donations/tehama-critical-response-fund/
