Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts

As Hurricane Dorian approaches the East Coast, community foundations throughout the southeast have activated disaster relief funds to help those in the US and Bahamas affected by the storm.

The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida — along with other philanthropic, nonprofit and city leaders in the region— reactivated its Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund. The fund was created after Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and was also used after 2017’s Hurricane Irma. The foundation said it is waiting to see what will be needed, but donors who want to help can learn more here.

Another Florida foundation, the Collier County Community Foundation in Naples, established a Hurricane Dorian Disaster Relief Fund. The fund is already accepting donations to support efforts in the Bahamas, where Dorian wreaked havoc, killing at least 20, during Labor Day weekend.

Also in Florida, The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has opened its disaster relief fund and will partner with other community foundations in the state and across the southeastern U.S. Donations will help provide food, clothing, shelter, medical treatments and other support to the areas in greatest need due to Dorian — regardless of whether those areas are in the state or not.

A number of other community foundations in Florida are marshaling funds for the Bahamas relief efforts. The Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties Bahamas Disaster Relief Fund will match the first $100,000 donated to the fund.

In North Carolina, where many communities are still reeling from Hurricane Florence less than 12 months ago, the North Carolina Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund is accepting donations in anticipation of Dorian’s arrival. The fund was established to address more long-term recovery and resilience efforts after natural disasters.

In South Carolina, the Central Carolina Community Foundation is accepting donations through its One SC Fund. The fund provides grants to nonprofits to fund relief, recovery, and/or rebuilding assistance programs from state-declared emergencies.