Florida Hurricane Relief Fund

Florida Hurricane Relief Fund - Welcome
Following the devastation caused by Hurricanes, thousands of Floridians are in need.

Governor Jeb Bush has established the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund to assist communities in rebuilding. This fund will be used for needs unmet by other disaster relief organizations also working to help rebuild lives and communities. Communities will decide how their allocations from this fund should be spent, and the most heavily impacted communities will receive the greatest percentage of these funds.

Florida Hurricane Relief Fund - Questions about this Fund
1. Why has the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund been set up when there are other nonprofit agencies assisting in the relief efforts?

Thousands of Floridians were impacted by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. Federal, state and local assistance cannot cover all the resources needed to rebuild. Governor Jeb Bush established this Fund to help cover needs that cannot be met by other organizations.

2. Who will provide the leadership in this effort?
Heading the Fund’s voluntary steering committee is former U.S. Senator Connie Mack. Serving as vice-chairs are Joe Lacher, President of Florida-BellSouth Telecommunications, and Clarence Otis, CEO-designee of Darden Restaurants. Tallahassee-based attorney Steve Uhlfelder has been appointed by Gov. Bush as the voluntary CEO of this committee. Susan Story, President and CEO of Gulf Power, and Tony Carvajal, President of Carvajal Consulting and Management have joined to help raise needed funds. Governor Bush has designated nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation to manage the Fund. VFF President Liza McFadden is overseeing administration.

3. How can an organization or individual apply for assistance from this fund?
Through county committees. The Florida Hurricane Relief Fund is requesting affected counties eligible for funding form a committee THAT MUST INCLUDE relief organizations, including Red Cross and Salvation Army, working in that county. Each committee will determine where federal, state and local funds can’t cover restoration, and make decisions about where the Fund should be used. Additionally, allocations for this fund will be weighted according to FEMA data on destruction and need - the counties hardest hit will receive the larger percentage of the Fund.

4. Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to benefit from the fund?
No. Each county will decide where Fund assistance is most needed, and that can include help for those who are not citizens.

5. How much of the money donated goes into the field?
The only funds taken from donations will be for staff costs directly targeted to the fund, including accounting, bookkeeping, reporting and clerical work, not to exceed 3%. No committee member will be paid – all are serving on a voluntary basis.

6. How can donors be sure the money really goes where it is needed?
Through constant oversight and reports to the public. An official report on donations accepted and funds distributed will be issued in six months, and every six months thereafter until this fund is no longer needed.

7. Where is the money coming from?
Donations and pledges are coming from across the globe, including Belgium, Canada and Singapore. So far, individuals in 46 states across America have pledged. Corporations also are answering the call. The Fund has received donations ranging from $9 from an anonymous donor to $50,000 from an individual. Corporate pledges are ranging from thousands of dollars up to $2 million each.

8. How can I give, and is my donation tax-deductible?
All donations are tax-deductible. To donate click here,or by calling 1-800-FL-HELP-1.
Each donor to this fund will receive an acknowledgement. State registration number is CH8536.

9. Would it be better to donate to Florida Hurricane Relief Fund rather than another relief organization?
Donors should follow their hearts and give to the organizations of their choice. Every donation makes a tremendous difference. Many donors are giving to several organizations to assist in immediate and longer-term needs. The important message: Give. Together we can rise and rebuild.

10. Can you give me examples of how my funds may be used? Large gifts may be given with restrictions (for example: Cingular Wireless donated $100,000 which will be used to buy supplies for the eight schools damaged in Charlotte County; Merck Foundation donated $100,000 to help rebuild family health centers; and Home Depot is donating $1,000,000 in funds and supplies to rebuild damaged nonprofit organizations). Unmet needs committees may use funds to assist individuals, such as migrant workers, to help small businesses rebuild or to fund nonprofits in their local communities.

To learn more about the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund, and how you can help click here