1 minute read
Your Generosity is Working Hard
By Susan True
Our community has a history of coming together in times of disaster.
Advertisement
In response to the winter storms of 2023 we are working with frontline nonprofits, public safety agencies, the small business community and others to support the county’s storm-related needs.
How We’re Responding
The needs of responding nonprofits are evolving as they help people and neighborhoods assess damage, clean up, prepare for new storms, and recover from storm-related losses and hardships.
Likewise, small business owners are assessing damage to their family businesses and are in touch with us about their needs. Our Disaster Fund will help them with urgent supplies and labor needs and other unreimbursed expenses they’re incurring as they respond to community needs.
Your generous donations to the Disaster Fund are already hard at work.
We’ve issued $510,000 to trusted nonprofit partners coordinating volunteers and helping those affected by the recent storms including seniors coping with prolonged power outages, working-class occupants of structurally damaged homes, and small businesses with steep losses and staff unable to work due to closures.
Grantees include: Community Action Board, Community Bridges,
Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County, Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County and Capitola small food service businesses.
Your donations fill a gap in timing and eligibility for government resources. State and federal aid will be essential for our long-term recovery.
While our grant dollars will be smaller than public funds, they play a unique role in the ability to respond swiftly, adapt to changing conditions, and serve people who won’t be helped by public dollars.
We have so much work ahead of us.
Gifts to the Disaster Fund will be matched up to $100,000 by Julie Packard, Santa Cruz County community member and executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. n
•••
For information about funding or grant applications. email grants@cfscc.org.
For questions about making a donation, contact Donor Services Officer Hana Kong: YKong@cfscc.org.
•••
