(Black PR Wire) New York, NY -- Arva Rice, President & CEO of the New York Urban League (NYUL) is pleased to announce that the civil rights organization, founded in 1919, has received a grant of $200,000 for COVID-19 funding from United Way of New York City (UWNYC).

United Way of New York City’s grant will be used towards NYUL’s Relief Fund for African American children and families which will provide direct cash grants to assist with rent, utilities and other bill payment during the pandemic.  

NYUL’s Relief Fund will provide cash grants of up to $1000 to families and college students affected by COVID-19. Grants will be made available to NYUL education and employment clients and Whitney M. Young, Jr. college scholarship recipients. 

Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League said, “We are immensely grateful to United Way of New York City for this extraordinarily generous grant.  With this grant, we will be able to serve even more people as the pandemic continues to disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities.”

"United Way of New York City is proud to partner with BET in supporting the efforts of the New York Urban League to bring critical assistance to African American communities during this time," said Sheena Wright, President and CEO of United Way of New York City. "COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black neighborhoods and the work that Arva and her team at the NYUL are doing to provide financial relief to families and students cannot be understated in its importance." 

Black Entertainment Television (BET) partnered with United Way to create the BET COVID-19 Relief Fund to receive financial donations from the BET COVID-19 Saving Our Selves (S.O.S.) Relief Effort broadcast event. 

The broadcast special was a part of BET’s array of high impact initiatives to support communities of color impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. BET, in partnership with United Way of New York City will issue grants to organizations like NYUL, who provide critical financial, educational and community support directly to African Americans hardest hit by this crisis. 

The New York Urban League, an affiliate of the National Urban League, is a 501 (c)(3) civil rights organization enabling African-Americans and other underserved ethnic communities to secure a first-class education, economic self-reliance, and equal respect of their civil rights through programs, services, and advocacy in this highly diversified city. The New York Urban League is leading the way underserved African Americans are educated, employed and empowered across the five boroughs of New York City.  For the past 100 years, we’ve inspired, influenced and ignited over 1 million Black people to achieve their highest aspirations, continually adapting to need generated by societal changes. Right now our community needs support due to this devastating pandemic.

About New York Urban League

For over 100 years, the New York Urban League (NYUL) has led the way in the education, employment, and empowerment of underserved African Americans across the five boroughs of New York City. During this time, we are proud to have inspired, influenced, and ignited over one million Black people to achieve their highest aspirations. NYUL remains a vital resource for our city’s African Americans and other underserved groups. We invest to transform the lives of over 8,000 families each year by providing quality higher education options, economic opportunity, and community engagement. Visit us at https://www.nyul.org/; https://www.facebook.com/newyorkurbanleague/ and https://twitter.com/NYUrbanLeague

About United Way of New York City 

United Way of New York City (UWNYC) works for the self-sufficiency of every low-income New Yorker by taking on the toughest challenges and creating new solutions to old problems. We win by helping families shift from barely surviving to thriving. We unite by mobilizing the best ideas, relevant data, internal and external experts, and resources—from money to manpower. UWNYC maximizes impact by coordinating and aligning organizations, companies, local government, and New Yorkers to help families eliminate tough choices and live better while making ends meet. To learn more, visit: www.unitedwaynyc.org.

About New York Urban League Sponsorship Opportunities

Foundation grants continue to be needed at this time of pandemic. Corporate Sponsorship opportunities are available as a one-time or recurring donation. Year-round or program-specific sponsorships can include a multitude of customizable benefits based on a corporation’s needs and initiatives. Sponsorship benefits can include: Naming opportunities / Visibility and company branding in citywide distribution of print, press, and electronic materials / Complimentary tickets and special event invitations / Volunteer opportunities for employee engagement. We also welcome donations of services and infrastructure. Items and services that we seek include Computers, Laptops, Tablets, Printers, Print and design services, Wine and Spirits, Auction items. We welcome individual memberships starting at Friends of NYUL at $0 for a newsletter subscription to Power Broker level at $1000 per year. Learn more  and become a member/donate at  https://www.nyul.org/membership-1 or https://www.nyul.org/donate-1 or email info@nyul.org or call 212.926.8000 to discuss grant and sponsorship opportunities.