SALISBURY — As the COVID-19 Relief Fund topped $22,000 raised Tuesday, the United Way started accepting applications from nonprofits.

The COVID-19 Relief Fund will specifically provide money to 501(c)(3)s that intend helping people with food insecurity, medical expenses and housing needs caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, said Rowan County United Way Executive Director Jenny Lee. Those focus areas were determined based on data collected from calls for assistance to 211 as well as reports from nonprofits, Lee said.

The fund also will provide money to nonprofits for disruptions in business.

“We recognize that these agencies are not able to hold fundraisers at this point and that they are just triaging family members in crisis,” Lee said. “So, we’re incredibly happy to provide these grants to these agencies. What we’ve identified are truly the needs of today.”

The United Way will not directly provide funding to individuals.

Nonprofits who apply for funding will be able to request up to $10,000 and funds will be made available as soon as possible. Lee said the United Way plans to continue fundraising as it awards grants to nonprofits. Nonprofits can obtain more information about applying by visiting rowanunitedway.org or calling the office at 704-633-1802.

Information requested on the application includes, among other things, basic information about the applicant and their nonprofit, the priority area for which funding is sought, the amount requested, descriptions about the organization and how it will use funding, the number of individuals to be served and the specific outcome the nonprofit hopes to achieve.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the COVID-19 Relief Fund had raised $22,365 — an increase of $4,700 since the weekend. And that does not include a $15,000 grant the United Way previously received from the Robertson Foundation that can now be used as part of the relief fund.

Anyone interested in making a donation to the relief fund can do so at rowanunitedway.org, text the word “RELIEF” to 704-286-1011 or mail a contribution to the United Way at 131 West Innes St., Suite 201, Salisbury, N.C. 28144. Those mailing donations should address them to the attention of the COVID-19 Relief Fund. Those making a donation online should include a note in the comment section saying it’s for the COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Donations since the weekend include:

• Elizabeth Lombard, $50

• John Thompson, $100

• Ralph Brown, $100

• Godley’s Garden Center, $350

• Gerry Hurley, $1,000

• James and Nina Burton, $100

• Charles Buckley, $200

• Donnie and Bobby Whitesides, $59

• Susan and Tommie Waller, $250

• Carl and Mary Repsher, $100

• Allan and Ann Rouzer, $100, which was given in honor of Wade Rouzer

• Wade and Peggy Rouzer, $100

• Tommy and Mimi Carlton, $200

• Lane and Claudette Brown, $200

• Jerry Swink, $100

• Rosemary Sokolowski, $50

• Anonymous, $250

• Ann Bostian, $100

• Alan and Joy King, $200

• Hubert and Adine Ijames, $300

• Teresa Rufty, $500

• Sandy Goodman, $200

• Robert and Tammy Holmes, $100