By Tuti B. Scott April 13, 2020

Tides’ Response to COVID-19: A Letter from Interim CEO Tuti Scott

During this unprecedented moment in history, we’re asked to do the seemingly impossible: witness countless people around the world suffer from the uncontained COVID-19 virus, and read daily about families and communities being isolated, and even torn apart. At the same time, we feel a deep sense of gratitude and concern for the medical and caring communities that are serving on the front lines of this pandemic and we are determined and committed to do whatever it takes to get through each day, week, month and beyond as necessary.

These are incredibly challenging times that demand the best in each of us when we are at our most vulnerable—and on a level that most of us haven’t experienced in our lifetimes. As a global society that feels more connected than ever before, none of us will be the same when this pandemic has passed. At that time, I believe we will each view our own selves in a new light—with more gentility and self-love. I believe we will treat relationships with more compassion, and I believe we will conduct our daily lives with more attention and at a pace that is fueled with greater care for all beings and the earth. I’m hopeful that, along the way, we will capture the lessons learned and find comfort in a renewed and refreshed sense of purpose.

We are committed to raising $1.5 million for the Stronger Together Fund and have pledged $500,000 of our own funds to galvanize support for our social venture partners.

At Tides, our roots are embedded in coming together to tackle society’s toughest problems as we link sectors, bold changemakers, and diverse communities with a goal to drive lasting change and find common ground. Today, as we come up against a global pandemic not seen in over 100 years, we believe that this mission is even more urgent and our unified call to action is ever more pressing.

As the world’s collective attention has shifted, so has ours. Here’s what we’re doing right now to address COVID-19:

1. As COVID-19 alters our collective sense of normal, we are responding to the ever-changing needs of our network of partners and grantees. We have launched the Stronger Together Fund, an emergency response fund to support the social ventures that call Tides home: an unparalleled network of 140+ fiscally-sponsored organizations that advance innovative solutions, improve lives, and catalyze social change. These social ventures are experiencing increased demand to serve high-risk communities and those who have suffered unrecoverable losses due to COVID-19. We are committed to raising $1.5 million for the Stronger Together Fund and have pledged $500,000 of our own funds to galvanize support for our social venture partners. Learn more about this important work and how you can help.

2. We’ve partnered with a coalition of CEOs who are volunteering to work to harness the power of U.S. businesses to strengthen government response to COVID-19. #StopTheSpread is now composed of 1,500 business leaders—and corresponding resources—in the fight against COVID-19. Learn more at stopthespread.org.

3. We’ve launched a COVID-19 Rapid Response Giving Service. Tides’ philanthropic partners can use this service to quickly disburse funds to any organization in the U.S. or abroad who are either impacted by COVID-19 or are working to reduce the spread and transmission of the virus. Grants can be approved in as quickly as 1-2 business days and funding disbursed in as little as 2-3 business days. Now through at least the end of April, Tides will prioritize any grant recommendation in support of COVID-19 relief efforts. As of today, we have approved up to $18 million in funding and approved 61 grants.

4. Finally, we’ve put together a list of national and global groups, consisting of both Tides initiatives and otherwise, that are working on COVID-19 relief efforts. Please consider supporting these organizations that are responding directly to the crisis right now.

Learn more about Tides’ philanthropic response to COVID-19

In addition to our broader efforts, the full Tides team is being supported in their remote work as we continue to rigorously attend to our community’s requests and needs. At the same time, I want to acknowledge that there is strain and loss in our professional community and we are working diligently to model what it means to care for and support our staff and their families. This is intense and humane work, and I am grateful and proud of the resilience and perseverance of our entire Tides family.

During these remarkable times, when the anxiety of the unknown runs high, I invite you to breathe deeply, be gentle with yourself and loved ones, and lead with your heart more than ever before. Steeped in love, we will get through this—together.

In solidarity and compassion,