Disaster Recovery Fund Gains Momentum and Makes Grants to Local Nonprofits Meeting Community Needs
On August 13, the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation established the Disaster Recovery Fund to provide philanthropic support to Linn County communities recovering from the August 10 derecho. The fund was established by a lead gift of $100,000 from TaxAct, headquartered in Cedar Rapids.
Since then, the fund has received an additional $264,000 in contributions totaling $364,000 from 934 donors from 48 states and three countries.
“The derecho has created a widespread disaster for our area,” says Les Garner, President & CEO at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. “But the amount of support coming in is truly inspirational. Contributions to this fund will help address some of the most pressing needs as our communities recover.”
Initially, the Disaster Recovery Fund is making rapid response grants to organizations providing immediate relief and services for those disproportionately affected by the derecho. As the recovery efforts proceed, the fund will support unmet human needs resulting from the derecho storm, including coordination of assistance to individuals and families, and programs and services related to recovery. To date, the Disaster Recover Fund has distributed $67,500 in grants to local nonprofits.
Organizations that have received grants so far include:
- Eastern Iowa African Diaspora
- United We March Forward
- Catherine McAuley Center
- Advocates for Social Justice/Culture Inc.
- Matthew 25
- Foundation 2
- Feed Iowa First
- Marion Chamber of Commerce Foundation
- YPN
The Community Foundation continues to assess needs from nonprofit organizations, many of whom have sustained significant damage to their facilities while they are meeting emergent community needs. “We are providing funding to meet basic human needs right now through nonprofit organizations that are working together to provide efficient and effective response. However, the derecho has placed enormous difficulties to our nonprofit sector that was already challenged with the pandemic,” says Karla Twedt-Ball, Senior Vice President of Programs and Community Investment. “The Disaster Recovery Fund and other support from donors will be critical to assist with the recovery of our community, including the long-term recovery of our nonprofit sector.”
To give to the Disaster Recovery Fund, click here.
To view the grants made from the fund, click here.