Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands Gives Coronavirus Response Update

Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands

The following is an information and advice letter to the public from the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.

We Are Ready to Help

At the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, the health and safety of our partners, staff, neighbors and community is always our top priority. And we couldn’t be more grateful and fortunate to be part of such a caring, generous, and resilient community, which we saw play out in such a huge way after the 2017 storms.

The changes taking place in the territory and across the world in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are happening rapidly and can be overwhelming. As the situation continues to unfold, we want to take this opportunity to reassure the USVI that we once again stand ready to mobilize and help in any way that we can do so safely and responsibly, just as we did after Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Stay Informed and Prepared

At this time, we encourage everyone to be informed and prepared. Closely monitor updates and review valuable health and safety resources from our local government officials, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virgin Islands Department of Health, and VITEMA, where you can sign up for Alert VI, the agency’s mass notification system. In addition, text “covid19usvi” to 888-777 to receive local alerts specific to the pandemic. Click on the following link for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Workplace Tips for Employees.

If you or someone you know thinks they may be infected, please call the Department of Health at 712-6299 or 776-1519 and they will come to you. Do not go to the hospital or the emergency room unless it is a medical emergency.

What You Can Do

We encourage you if you are able to support local nonprofit organizations that work with the people and families who are most vulnerable in our community. In times like this, philanthropy can shine.

If there are opportunities to assist organizations that work with affected people, families and industries, or we learn of specific needs for our community, we will share those updates here.

If you work with or for a nonprofit organization and you identify an increased need in your services because of COVID-19, or your operations are significantly impacted by the virus, please let us know.

Access to Our Office

Please call first before visiting our office in person. We will be following recommendations from public health officials related to social distancing. While our office remains open, we are monitoring the situation daily as to whether our office will remain open or we will have staff work remotely. Our main phone number, 340.774.6031, will be answered as normal from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and our staff remain accessible. You can also email us at general.info@cfvi.net.

We will review this policy on a daily basis following guidelines from our local government, CDC and the VI Health Department and share updates as needed.

Scholarship Deadline Extended

The CFVI Scholarship Application deadline has been extended to April 30, 2020.

Future Updates and Communication

We will also provide additional updates and recommendations in the coming days and weeks via email, our website and social media.