Community foundations play an essential role in disaster relief and recovery in other parts of the world. As the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts strives to sustain the strength of our region, we remain open to monitoring opportunities in which we might provide donors information to assist in their support of our global community. Below is information gathered from other community foundations and nonprofits to assist in this effort.
MOROCCO
To assist communities impacted by September’s earthquake, consider making a gift to:
- Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Global Recovery Fund.
- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
- The Food Bank of Morocco, a nonprofit association based in Casablanca.
LIBYA
To assist communities impacted by September’s flooding in northeast Libya, consider making a gift to:
- GlobalGiving’s Libya Flood Relief Fund.
- Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Global Recovery Fund.
FLORIDA
To assist communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia, please consider making a gift to:
- The Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which has activated the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund to assist with long-term recovery efforts.
- The Manatee Community Foundation, which has launched its Disaster Relief Fund to support those impacted in Manatee County.
HAWAI’I (LAHAINA WILDFIRES)
To assist the community in Maui after the devastating wildfire, please consider making a gift to:
- The Hawai’i Community Foundation established the Maui Strong Fund to deploy financial resources quickly. Funding will support evolving needs, including shelter, food, financial assistance, and other services as identified by their partners.
- GlobalGiving established the Hawaii Wildfire Relief Fund, to initially help first responders meet survivors’ immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, medicine, and shelter. As needs emerge, donations will support longer-term recovery efforts run by local, vetted organizations in impacted areas, particularly those working with low-income, historically underserved communities.
- Center for Disaster Philanthropy established the Hawai’i Wildfires Recovery Fund to support equitable recovery for wildfire-affected families and communities who face unique challenges in the aftermath of disasters that can prolong recovery.
- The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement established the Kākoʻo Maui Fund to support evolving needs while closely collaborating with state and county leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community members to understand evolving priorities.
WESTERN MASS (FLASH FLOODING)
As we continue to meet with our farm communities, we are committed to sharing what we learn about the impact experienced as a result of heavy rainfalls and flooding. The current landscape shows that at least 75 farms and over 1,500 production acres have been affected, and a minimum of $10M in crops have been lost. We know that there is potential for these figures to rise as farmers prepare to harvest fall crops and determine their quality.
To assist local communities grappling with flooding damage from torrential rainfalls, please consider making a gift to:
- The Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund, established in partnership with philanthropic organizations and private foundations including CFWM.
- Support farms directly: The Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) has compiled a list of local farms who have suffered serious losses.
- The Vermont Community Foundation has established the VT Flood Response and Recovery Fund 2023 to support Vermonters in responding to and recovering from the catastrophic rainfall across Vermont in 2023.
If your farm has been affected by the July flooding, the application to request funding is now available.
TURKEY & SYRIA
To assist in urgent and long-term recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria, please consider making a gift to:
- The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, which in close collaboration with partners has established the CDP Turkey & Syria Earthquake Recovery Fund to support earthquake-affected families and communities as they work to rebuild and recover.
- The Turkish Red Crescent, the largest humanitarian organization in Turkey and part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent.
- The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), a global medical relief organization providing urgent medical care to the injured at Bab Al Hawa hospital among others.
- The Children’s Emergency Fund administered by Save the Children enables the organization to respond to natural disaster crises around the world.
PUERTO RICO AND NEIGHBORING ISLANDS
To assist in medium- and long-term recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, please consider making a gift to:
- DAF Advisors desiring to support Hurricane Fiona Disaster Relief in Puerto Rico and neighboring islands can submit a donor recommendation with CFWM.
- The Center of Disaster Philanthropy has established the Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund to support initiatives that prioritize communities devastated by Atlantic hurricanes, especially those facing systemic barriers to equitable recovery.
- Donate to support the Puerto Rico Community Foundation’s Fiona Hurricane: Community Recovery Fund for Puerto Rico.
- Donate to support Hispanics for Philanthropy which has established the Fiona Response Fund to help funnel resources to organizations on the ground providing immediate relief services.
- Global Giving has also established the Hurricane Fiona Relief Fund.
UKRAINE
To assist in medium- and long-term recovery efforts in Ukraine, please consider making a gift to:
- DAF Advisors desiring to support efforts addressing the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine can submit a donor recommendation with CFWM.
- The Center of Disaster Philanthropy has established the Ukraine Humanitarian Disaster Recovery Fund to support efforts.
- The Council on Foundations and the U.S. State Department hosted an urgent discussion on how philanthropy can best support the humanitarian response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This session provided an opportunity for foundations and philanthropies to share what efforts are already underway and to discuss how the sector can coordinate and collaborate together to address the humanitarian needs that are growing by the day.
- Donate to support HIAS’ Ukraine crisis response. HIAS is building partnerships with Jewish community organizations and others in neighboring countries, including Poland and Moldova, to provide assistance to meet the needs of refugees.
SOUTHERN U.S.
To assist in the hurricane relief efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi, please consider making a gift to:
Louisiana
- Baton Rouge Area Foundation – Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund
- Greater New Orleans Foundation – Disaster Response and Restoration Fun
- The Community Foundation of Acadiana also has three relief funds:
Acadiana Disaster Response Fund provides immediate relief to Acadiana residents affected parish, state, or federally declared natural disasters.
Realtor Association of Acadiana Disaster Relief Fund was created after the hurricanes in 2008 as a proactive measure, so that funds will be available in the event of another declared disaster.
St. Martin Parish Disaster Relief Fund is an endowment fund that helps parish residents recover after a disaster has occurred. 50 percent of all contributions are used to build an endowment, so the funds are available immediately following a disaster.
Mississippi
- Community Foundation for Mississippi – Mississippi Community Response & Recovery Fund
HAITI
To assist Haitian organizations involved in earthquake relief efforts, and organizations supporting refugees including asylum seekers facing violence at the US/Mexico border, please consider making a gift to:
- Ayiti Community Trust
- The Boston Foundation’s Haiti Earthquake 2021 Fund
- Haitian Bridge Alliance
- Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees
- UndocuBlack
- BAJI
- World Central Kitchen
AFGHANISTAN
To assist in supporting Afghan refugees in our region, please consider making a gift to: