SAN MATEO, CA—During the pandemic, numerous firms are donating resources and funds to those in need. One example is Sares Regis Group of Northern California, which has established a $100,000 Sares Regis Education and Community Foundation COVID-19 Relief Initiative to address the immediate and critical needs of organizations serving Peninsula and South Bay communities. Sares Regis Group is also working to leverage this commitment by engaging local business partners to match program grants to local community organizations.

The San Mateo-based real estate development and management group established the foundation five years ago with the mission of "Giving Back Where We Live and Work". During the last five years, the foundation has contributed in excess of $500,000 to more than 50 Bay Area organizations.

"Our goal is to proactively team with leaders in the Peninsula and South Bay communities where we live and work, and identify worthy organizations that are making a direct impact," says Rob Wagner, managing director at Sares Regis Group of Northern California. "We know there is a tremendous need right now to assist at-risk individuals, families, small businesses, students and first responders in weathering the COVID-19 crisis and we're doing everything we can to make a positive immediate impact."

Within the first 10 days of establishing the new program, the initiative awarded about a dozen grants to local nonprofit groups including Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos, Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse, San Mateo-Foster City Education Foundation, LifeMoves, Peninsula College Fund, Redwood City Library Foundation, Saint Vincent DePaul of San Mateo County, Samaritan House, Second Harvest Food Bank, Caregiver Relief Fund, YMCA Community Resource Center and Sunnyvale Community Services.

Individuals and/or organizations interested in joining with the foundation in supporting local nonprofits in need of COVID-19 assistance may contact foundation@srgnc.com. Organizations that are interested in being considered for funding are encouraged to access instructions for submitting a request.

"Our communities are in crisis and we are in a position to help right away," Wagner tells GlobeSt.com. "The strategy we're taking is to make immediate meaningful gifts that help solve a problem or bridge a gap. We encourage people to join us and reach out to ask how they can help. We know that when this is over, we will emerge stronger together."

Other organizations are following suit and the list of companies that have established giving funds is growing.

Through its Economic Institute, the Bay Area Council is researching the economic impacts on the Bay Area stemming from COVID-19. It is partnering with other organizations to advocate for state and federal emergency funding to increase services for the homeless and other vulnerable populations, and blunt the impacts on public transportation systems from reduced ridership and other revenue.

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