$11 million raised in 10 days for Charlotte COVID-19 Response Fund

Charlotte-based LendingTree donated $1 million to kickstart a fundraising effort announced earlier this month to assuage economic blows to residents amid the novel coronavirus outbreak — a gift that Mayor Vi Lyles said the City Council will match.

The Coca-Cola Consolidated Charitable Giving Fund also is donating $1 million, the foundation said Thursday. That makes $11 million raised in 10 days for the foundation.

LendingTree CEO Doug Lebda said the COVID-19 Response Fund will be overseen by the Foundation for the Carolinas and United Way of Central Carolinas.

“Now is the time to pull together,” Lebda said. “We want to make sure this money gets to the people who need help.”

An advisory committee will determine how grants are distributed across different agencies.

“It’s important we support the nonprofits helping the individuals who need it the most,” said Coca-Cola Consolidated CEO Frank Harrison. “We all know the effects of this pandemic stretch far beyond those who are sick, and the COVID-19 Response Fund will get assistance to those who need it.”

Lyles heralded the community-wide fund as a strong display of Charlotte’s private-public partnerships. She said the funds will “reach directly” those Charlotteans feeling the greatest financial impact, including low-income residents who may face sharp income drops as the coronavirus disrupts local businesses and temporarily shutters public schools.

“We are going to begin to make a difference,” Lyles said. “This community-minded business of LendingTree and the Charlotte City Council are making a commitment to do what’s best for the people of our community.”

Laura Clark, president and CEO of United Way of Central Carolinas, said agencies and nonprofits are already feeling the strains of workplace disruptions — and a contracted local economy — as the pandemic escalates.

“I can promise you this will go a long way to make a huge difference in the community,” Clark said of the COVID-19 Response Fund. “Now is the time for our community to come together, even as we are asked to stay apart.”

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To contribute to the COVID-19 Response Fund, visit HelpCharMeck.org.

Observer reporter Catherine Muccigrosso contributed to this report

This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 5:36 PM.