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U.S. Bank has expedited its annual $1 million market impact fund grant program to provide funding for 30 local nonprofits that are working to respond to the most pressing needs in their communities, according to a press release.

From Seattle to Omaha to Charlotte, the grants are being used by nonprofits to support small businesses, maintain safe housing and ensure accessibility to critical human services by the communities’ most economically vulnerable populations. The company is deploying these funds three months earlier than originally scheduled to ensure immediate relief.

The move is part of a broader shift in how U.S. Bank is approaching community giving this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, the company donated $4 million to three national nonprofits — United Way, LISC and Operation HOPE — and announced that its remaining $25 million in grants planned for this year could be used by nonprofits for general operating expenses rather than for specific programming.

“We know how many nonprofits are struggling and we want to make sure that our partners know that we trust them to use our grant dollars in whatever way is needed to sustain the life-changing work they do in our communities every day,” said U.S. Bank Chief Social Responsibility Officer Reba Dominski.

“We are honored to be one of two Minnesota nonprofits that U.S. Bank is supporting through their Market Impact Fund,” said Tim Penny, president and CEO of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. “This $25,000 grant is helping us provide resources to child care providers in our 20-county region who are experiencing challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis.”