Central Florida Foundation activates Hurricane Irma Relief Fund

Assessing the needs of over 1,000 non-profits

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, the Central Florida Foundation has activated its Hurricane Irma Relief Fund, which will support stabilizing and rebuilding efforts in Central Florida.Contributions to the Fund will help nonprofits get back to providing core services and programs that they are now not able to offer. This includes local nonprofits offering critical care to those in need – including low-income families and seniors, homeless individuals and families, and others who are particularly vulnerable to the hurricane’s effects.

The Foundation has started an assessment of over 1,000 nonprofits that serve Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Volusia, Brevard and Polk counties. This assessment will identify gaps for nonprofits that are addressing the most critical needs in the days and weeks ahead, providing a road map for where to most efficiently disburse aid. The Foundation expects to have initial findings from the assessment beginning Friday and will then share the results with the community to gather support.

“Many of our neighbors will be feeling Hurricane Irma’s effects for months to come, and our focus is on helping them stabilize as we move into the recovery phase of this disaster,” said Mark Brewer, president and CEO of Central Florida Foundation. “Our priority is to leverage contributions to the fund to ensure that donations go as far as possible to restore our community.”

Other community foundations in our region have also activated funds to support their local areas including: Southwest Florida, Tampa Bay, Sarasota, Miami, Broward, Gulf Coast, Collier County, Palm Beach, Florida Keys, Jacksonville, and Manatee.

Central Florida Foundation fund holders can contribute online through a grant recommendation from their advised funds.