Just two months ago, fires tore through several northern California counties. Now, parts of southern California are burning. The destruction is again devastating and wide reaching, and the number of destroyed homes continues to rise. Our thoughts are with the residents and relief workers who are on the ground fighting the blazes and supporting the thousands of affected victims.
The long-term needs of these communities have only just begun, and the question for many remains how to help. The San Francisco Foundation recommends supporting one or more of the following disaster relief funds:
- Ventura County Community Foundation (designate the Disaster Relief Fund)
- California Community Foundation (designate the Wildfire Relief Fund)
- The San Diego Foundation (designate the Regional Disaster Fund)
As with most funds created in the wake of a disaster, the local community foundations will work with local nonprofit organizations to determine the short- and long-term relief and recovery needs of the region, ensuring all donations are effectively deployed. Donors may recommend a grant from their donor advised fund to these community foundations and designate the specific disaster relief fund.
Recovery from these fires will take years, and we know the local community foundations will give grants to nonprofits in support of the most vulnerable members of their communities, addressing issues of disparity. We stand in solidarity with our fellow community foundations who are committed to supporting those who need the resources the most.
For more information on how to support other recent disaster relief efforts, including the North Bay Fires, hurricanes and the earthquake in Mexico, please see below.
Since October 8, massive fires have torn through four northern California counties. Whole towns have been evacuated. The numbers of deaths, injuries and destroyed homes continue to rise. And the whole Bay Area is choking in smoke. During this time of crisis in our region, our thoughts are with the many brave residents, firefighters and relief workers who are on the ground fighting the blazes, and supporting the thousands of affected victims.
The California fires have come on the heels of back-to-back natural disasters in the American South, across the Caribbean, and in Mexico. Between the fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and flooding, many people are wondering how to help impacted communities. We have compiled the following list of suggestions to assist with relief efforts. Please let us know if you have any questions or require additional information at donorservices@sff.org. We are here to help.
Supporting Northern California Fire Relief Efforts:
In response to major fires that started burning the night of October 8th and have displaced thousands of area residents thus far, Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) has mobilized its Disaster Relief Fund.
Community Foundation Sonoma County has launched the Sonoma County Resilience Fund to address the mid to long-term needs of the community.
The Community Foundation of Mendocino County has the Disaster Fund for Mendocino County to support those impacted by the Redwood/Potter fires.
Latino Community Foundation has launched a fund to support three local Latino nonprofit organizations – North Bay Organizing Project,in Santa Rosa; La Luz Center, in Sonoma; and UpValley Family Centers in Calistoga – that are working with Latino families, farmworker communities, and are coordinating regional resources for immediate and long-term needs.
Mexico Earthquake Relief
Hispanics in Philanthropy – Earthquake Relief Fund: Funds go directly to nonprofits working on recovery efforts in Mexico City, Puebla, Chiapas, and Oaxaca.
Global Giving – Mexico Earthquake Relief Fund: This fund provides relief to survivors of the two recent earthquakes in the form of emergency supplies such as food, water, and medicine, in addition to longer-term recovery assistance to help residents recover and rebuild.
Hurricane Harvey Relief
Greater Houston Community Foundation – Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief
Puerto Rico Community Foundation, Inc. – Puerto Rico Recovery Fund: The fund will support community based organizations who are already working with the most vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and families with children.
Miami Foundation – U.S. Caribbean Strong Relief Fund: This fund supports relief efforts in Caribbean island nations and territories, including Antigua & Barbuda, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Cuba and Puerto Rico.
Global Giving – Caribbean Hurricane Maria & Irma Relief Fund: Like the Mexico Earthquake Relief Fund, once initial relief work is completed in Puerto Rico, this fund will transition to support longer-term recovery efforts run by local, vetted organizations responding to this disaster.
Florida Hurricane Relief Efforts
- Hurricane Relief Fund, The Miami Foundation
- Collier Comes Together Disaster Relief Fund, The Community Foundation of Collier County (Naples, FL)
- Tampa Bay Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay
