PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release May 8, 2019
827 Fort Street Mall Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813 Phone: 808-537-6333 Fax: 808-521-6286 HawaiiCommunityFoundation.org
FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact: Catherine Howland Hawai‘i Community Foundation (808) 566-5569 (Office) (808) 260-5001 (Mobile) chowland@hcf-hawaii.org
HAWAI‘I ISLAND VOLCANO RECOVERY FUND CONTINUES TO SUPPORT RECOVERY FROM 2018 VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS Hawai‘i Community Foundation shifts to long-term recovery and calls for continued support HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) announced today that the Foundation will soon distribute awards for the “long-term recovery” phase of the post-volcano recovery effort from the Hawai‘i Island Volcano Recovery Fund (HIVRF). The fund raised over $1M to support the recovery effort and was created in partnership between the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF), Eric Anderson, Roger Beck, Darien & Darren Gee, Kate Bell, Tom Blackburn and an anonymous Jack’s Fund donor. The first grant was made to support the purchase of the STREAK database that was critical for the local nonprofit organizations to intake and track over 1200 requests for assistance. Since then, HCF has distributed over $670,000 grants in total to 18 organizations to assist affected Hawai‘i communities in recovery efforts. A full list of grantees can be found at HawaiiCommunityFoundation.org/VolcanoRecovery “When the volcano erupted nearly one year ago, Hawai‘i Island began a rapid response effort that lasted months. The lava has stopped flowing, but we are still faced with the resulting sudden spike in homelessness and increased strain on our nonprofit organizations,” said Diane Chadwick, Director of Community Philanthropy at HCF. “Thanks to the generosity and responsiveness of givers around the world, great strides have been made on the path to recovery.” Grants distributed from the Hawai‘i Island Volcano Recovery Fund have been categorized based on the following three priority areas: •
Response—These grants supported nonprofits that could immediately provide food, shelter, mental health, hygiene, legal, and insurance support. HCF distributed just over $156,000 to 10 organizations during this phase of the disaster response.
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Recovery—Grants to nonprofits that helped residents return to their lives via home repairs and alternative living arrangements. Grantees included Habitat for Humanity,
Hawaiian Community Assets, Hope Services, Connect Point Church and the Kilauea Hui through Catholic Charities Hawai‘i. University of Hawai‘i Foundation also received funding to provide housing for displaced students and connect construction trade students with rebuilding opportunities. HCF distributed $506,000 to 7 organizations during this phase of the recovery effort. •
Rebuild—HCF provided a grant to Hawai‘i Alliance for Community Based Economic Development (HACBED) to facilitate community conversations around long-term affordable housing options, given the loss of 700 homes on Hawai‘i Island. For the remainder of the HIVRF funds, the expectation is that HCF will support capacity for long-term affordable housing and economic recovery.
“Hawai‘i Island’s communities and nonprofit organizations have navigated this disaster with strength and courage, which is much easier to do when you know that people around the world support you,” Chadwick added. “For those who want to continue their support, we encourage them to give directly to the nonprofits on the ground.” For a full list of the HIVRF grantees or more information about how HCF has partnered with others to support the recovery effort on Hawai‘i Island, please visit HawaiiCommunityFoundation.org/VolcanoRecovery ### With over 100 years of community service, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) is the leading philanthropic institution in the state. HCF is a steward of more than 900 funds, including more than 280 scholarship funds, created by donors who desire to transform lives and improve communities. In 2018, HCF distributed more than $62 million in grants and contracts statewide, including more than $6.3 million in scholarships. HCF also serves as a resource on community issues and trends in the nonprofit sector.