Author: fcrf

Jacksonville, Fla. (March 16, 2020) – Every day, more than half a million people in Northeast Florida – almost 40 percent of our region’s population – struggle to afford basic necessities. The COVID-19 pandemic is dramatically amplifying these existing needs and creating unprecedented demands on nonprofits.

To help our neighbors most affected by COVID-19 disruption, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, Jessie Ball duPont Fund, Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida, United Way of Northeast Florida and United Way of St. Johns County are re-activating Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund. The fund will assist organizations helping those in Northeast Florida affected by this public health crisis. As with past relief efforts, the fund will be overseen by a grants committee and administered by United Way of Northeast Florida.

Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund was created in 2016 to help nonprofit organizations serve individuals and families in need during a community crisis. The Relief Fund for COVID-19 will provide much-needed resources to struggling families by supporting local organizations who deliver essential human services to residents disproportionately burdened by this public health crisis.

Fund partners urge you to join this coalition of community partners who are ready to rapidly deploy resources to community-based organizations on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak in Northeast Florida.

“As we’ve seen with recent hurricanes, unprecedented community challenges like COVID-19 can and will have devastating long-term effects on struggling families,” said Michelle Braun, president and CEO of United Way of Northeast Florida. “We are coordinating closely with local nonprofits, community partners, and local and state government officials to identify immediate priorities.”

Nonprofits are lean organizations that funnel a vast majority of resources into providing direct service. Many of their fundraising activities are suspended and employees impacted. Many are not equipped with the technology to help them work remotely. Many also lack operating funds or reserves needed to respond to heightened demand for services and lower revenue.

Critical needs are rapidly emerging, and they will continue to evolve. The Relief Fund will provide flexible resources to nonprofits in our region responding to urgent needs resulting from COVID-19 disruption. The initial focus areas will likely include:

• Provision of emergency food and supplies and other needs of people disproportionately impacted by this disruption
• Financial relief and child-care support for those impacted by work and school closures
• Technology support for nonprofits to enable remote work and continued delivery of services

 

“Nonprofits are experiencing a disruption in fundraising and decreased volunteer support due to COVID-19, which reduces their ability to serve those who need help the most,” said Mari Kuraishi, president of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. “It is critical organizations serving the most vulnerable populations have the resources they need to continue operating at the highest levels.”

“We know many generous groups and individuals will want to assist with this response,” said Nina Waters, president of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. “Their generosity through this collaborative fund will allow us to focus on the needs of an entire region. As we experienced with hurricanes in recent years, we know this united strategy will enable us to move quickly and efficiently in addressing community needs.”

Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund dollars for COVID-19 will stay local. They will be granted to organizations providing direct services to individuals impacted by COVID-19 in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties. The fund will provide resources to meet needs not met by government programs.

“Challenges caused by COVID-19 in the coming weeks have the potential to devastate many First Coast families,” said Melissa Nelson, executive director of United Way of St. Johns County. “Through this collaboration, we are able to approach COVID-19 relief regionally – and we will all be impacted. United Way of St. Johns County is once again proud to be a partner of Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund.”

“We are pleased to join again with Northeast Florida’s strongest nonprofit funders in responding, this time, to individuals and families affected by COVID-19,” said Alan Margolies, executive director of the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida. “We are committed to supporting our community every day but, in times of crisis, it’s more important than ever to come together.”

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HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO FLORIDA’S FIRST COAST RELIEF FUND
Online: firstcoastrelieffund.org/donate
By mobile phone: Text COVID19RELIEF to 40403
By check: Pay to the order of United Way of Northeast Florida and mail to P.O. Box 41428, Jacksonville, FL 32203-1428
** Be sure to note “Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund” on the check.

HOW TO APPLY FOR FUNDING
Only nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply.
Application forms will be available online at firstcoastrelieffund.org/apply-for-funding and each of the partner websites.

GET HELP NOW
United Way’s 211 hotline continues to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, and officials and community organizations are working throughout Northeast Florida to ensure crucial needs are met. Community members in need of assistance are encouraged to dial 2-1-1, where a team of information specialists are available 24/7. You can also dial 904-632-0600 to access a United Way 211 call center specialist. A COVID-19 information directory is available at unitedwaynefl.org/covid19resources.

Northeast Florida philanthropic leaders and the City of Jacksonville are once again prepared to manage Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund to assist organizations helping those in Northeast Florida affected by Hurricane Dorian.

“As we find ourselves preparing for another storm, our City and nonprofit community stand ready to serve our citizens,” said Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. “My administration and our great City employees are hard at work preparing for potential impacts and readying response and recovery efforts. This fund and the organizations it supports play a critical role in helping to address many individual and family needs after a storm.”

United Way of Northeast Florida, United Way of St. Johns County, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and the Jessie Ball duPont Fund joined together in 2016 to establish the Relief Fund to help those impacted by natural disasters. The Relief Fund stands ready to accept contributions that will help meet Hurricane Dorian-related immediate, unmet response and recovery needs.

“As we prepare for Hurricane Dorian and anticipate the potential impacts, our thoughts turn to our neighbors and those who are still struggling to recover from the last storm,” said Michelle Braun, president and CEO of United Way of Northeast Florida. “That is why we are activating the fund; we want to be ready. The fund has proven to be the most effective way to coordinate donations to support response and recovery efforts.”

In response to Hurricane Irma in 2017, donors generously contributed more than $3.79 million, which was awarded to 34 organizations that helped more than 253,000 individuals or households recover. About $240,000 remain in the fund, which is available for immediate response efforts during this storm. Two initial grants will be disbursed to the American Red Cross Northeast Florida Chapter and The Salvation Army Northeast Florida Area Command.

“Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund is a remarkable example of the power of philanthropy and the nonprofit sector in times of crisis – and all year long,” said Mari Kuraishi, president of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. “This community has a long history of supporting those in need, and we are proud to join forces once again with these leading organizations to support our affected neighbors.”

“As we’ve witnessed in years past, we know the generosity in and beyond Northeast Florida is extraordinary and essential for repairing and rebuilding our community,” said Nina Waters, president of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. “Through this fund and generous donors, thousands of people can be helped.”

Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund will make grants only to organizations helping individuals impacted by natural disasters in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties. The fund will provide resources to meet needs not covered by insurance, FEMA, or other state and federal programs.

All distributions from the Relief Fund are overseen by a committee comprised of representatives of United Way of Northeast Florida, United Way of St. Johns County, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, the City of Jacksonville, and other major donors.

“Once again, 100 percent of all gifts will go to relief effort,” Braun said. “These dollars will be immediately available to help with response to Hurricane Dorian. Any unspent dollars will remain in the fund to maintain a permanent disaster relief fund for Northeast Florida.”

“This will be the third major storm in four years to hit St. Johns and Putnam counties,” said Melissa Nelson, president and CEO of United Way of St. Johns County. “So many families across our region battle personal storms every day. Unexpected crises like hurricanes exacerbate their struggles. Thanks to this collaboration, Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund will be prepared to meet critical needs quickly and allocate funds to where they are needed most.”

“While we all hope Dorian’s impact is not severe,” said Alan Margolies, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, “it’s important we have the means and mechanisms in place to assist as soon as possible.”

 

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO FLORIDA’S FIRST COAST RELIEF FUND

Online: firstcoastrelieffund.org/donate
Text: STORM to 50503
By check: Pay to the order of United Way of Northeast Florida and mail to P.O. Box 41428, Jacksonville, FL 32203-1428
** Be sure to note “Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund” on the check.

HOW TO APPLY FOR FUNDING
Only nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. Applications will be available online at firstcoastrelieffund.org/apply-for-funding and on each partner website once the response begins.

HOW TO ACCESS EMERGENCY INFORMATION
A comprehensive list of emergency contacts is available here: unitedwaynefl.org/emergency United Way’s 2-1-1 is a free information and referral hotline available 24 hours, seven days a week to connect callers to emergency resources, including disaster-relief efforts.

Following the first named storm of the season and the official start of the 2018 hurricane season, partners of Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund are prepared to once again activate the Relief Fund if disaster strikes.

Last year, in the wake of Hurricane Irma, Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund granted more than $3.56 million to 33 Northeast Florida nonprofits providing disaster-relief services. Through this, more than 253,231 individuals and households were served.

“The generosity of our community in that time of crisis – neighbors helping neighbors – was incredible,” said Michelle Braun, president and CEO of United Way of Northeast Florida, the fiscal agent and grant manager for the Relief Fund. “We are so thankful for the individuals, corporations and partners who came together to heal Northeast Florida.”

Created in 2016 to aid with Hurricane Matthew relief and to establish a permanent disaster relief fund, Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund is a strategic collaboration founded by United Way of Northeast Florida, United Way of St. Johns County, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and the Jessie Ball duPont Fund.

Each year, Mayor Lenny Curry and his team have been integral to the launch and success of the Relief Fund, encouraging donors to generously support the fund and other important relief efforts.

The Relief Fund supports immediate and intermediate unmet needs. One hundred percent of all donations go to relief efforts. Nearly $3.8 million was raised for Hurricane Irma relief. The Relief Fund’s remaining $200,000 will be available for immediate response for future disasters.

“We are deeply grateful for the foundations, corporations and individuals who recognized the need and delivered in substantial ways,” said Nina Waters, president of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.

Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund distributes grants only to organizations helping individuals and households impacted by natural disasters in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties. The Relief Fund provides resources to meet needs not met by insurance, FEMA, or other state and federal programs or to fill the gap while other long-term assistance is being put in place.

“Being able to quickly activate the fund is crucial to saving lives and getting our community on the road to recovery,” said Sherry Magill, president of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, which kick-started the fund in 2016 with a $500,000 commitment.

After Hurricane Irma, the top three relief needs fell into the following categories: rent and mortgage assistance; home/nonprofit stabilization and repair; and food. All distributions from the Relief Fund are overseen by a committee comprised of representatives of the Relief Fund partners, the City of Jacksonville, Mayo Clinic and the Jaguars Foundation.

While the Relief Fund activities are winding down from Hurricane Irma, long-term recovery efforts are scaling up.

“There are still people who are not completely back on track following Irma,” said Michael Boylan, chair of the Northeast Florida Long Term Recovery Organization. “These long-term needs are why we are working hard to build out a robust LTRO for Northeast Florida.”

For more information, on the LTRO, visit duvaldisasterrecovery.org.

Meanwhile, nonprofits in the area, spearheaded by the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida, are working to become better prepared for disasters, including the establishment of a Community Organizations Active in Disaster coalition, or COAD.

For more information on Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund, including the official Hurricane Irma report, please visit unitedwaynefl.org/relieffund/reporting. Any inquiries related to the report can be emailed to Sarah Henderson, United Way’s director of marketing and communications, at sarahh@uwnefl.org. Donations to the Relief Fund are accepted at any time.

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO FLORIDA’S FIRST COAST RELIEF FUND

• Online: unitedwaynefl.org/relieffund
• Text: STORM to 50503
• By check: Pay to the order of United Way of Northeast Florida and mail to P.O. Box 41428, Jacksonville, FL 32203-1428.
  ** Be sure to note “Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund” on the check.

HOW TO ACCESS EMERGENCY INFORMATION

A comprehensive list of emergency resources is available here and updated, as needed, pending any imminent disasters: unitedwaynefl.org/emergency.
United Way’s 2-1-1 is a free information and referral hotline available 24 hours, seven days a week to connect callers to emergency resources, including disaster-relief efforts.