Ways to Support Hurricane Relief Efforts

With hurricane season causing catastrophic damage, we at The Chicago Community Trust would like to share ways that you can help those impacted in Florida and Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Relief Efforts

On September 18, Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, causing devastating flooding and leaving millions of people without power or clean water, , donors can help by contributing to the following relief efforts:

• National Museum of Puerto Rican Art & Culture: All donations make a difference for Hurricane Fiona Relief. The museum is working with the Titín Foundation and others to match all donations $1 for $1.
• Fiona Response Fund: Managed by Hispanics in Philanthropy, funds support the Hispanic Federation, Community Foundation of Puerto Rico, the Fiona Community Response Fund, and the Dominican Republic-based organizations’ relief efforts.
• World Central Kitchen: First to the frontlines, WCK provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. WCK has relief teams in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, getting freshly prepared meals to impacted communities. 
• Puerto Rican Agenda: 3Rs for Puerto Rico – Rescue, Relief, Rebuild Campaign, a collaborative effort among local Puerto Rican community leaders and organizations to raise funds for hurricane victims and recovery efforts. 

Florida Relief Funds

On September 28, Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm, donors can help by contributing to the following relief funds:

• Hurricane Ian Relief and Recovery Fund: The Community Foundation of Sarasota County will partner with the network of community foundations in Florida and the Southeastern United States to distribute funds to the areas of greatest need, prioritizing the response and recovery efforts in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties.
• MCF Disaster Relief Fund: The Manatee Community Foundation is supporting Hurricane Ian response and recovery efforts in Manatee County through a partnership and a 1:1 match with the Bishop Parker Foundation, up to $75,000.
• Collier Comes Together Hurricane Fund: The Community Foundation of Collier County’s relief fund will benefit southwest Florida nonprofit relief efforts and programs to get funds where they are needed most.
• SWFL Emergency Relief Fund: The Collaboratory is located in Lee County and serves the entire five-county region. Their relief for those affected by Hurricane Ian is in partnership with United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties.
• Disaster Relief Fund: The Charlotte Community Foundation has activated a relief fund which will be used to provide financial assistance and resources to Charlotte County residents impacted by Hurricane Ian.