Hurricane Dorian: Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund activated to support nonprofit disaster relief services

Florida's First Coast Relief Fund, a philanthropy that supports Northeast Florida nonprofits that provide disaster-relief services, has been activated once again to help them react to Hurricane Dorian.

The Relief Fund was established in 2016 by United Way of Northeast Florida, United Way of St. Johns County, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. The fund seeks contributions for Dorian-related "immediate, unmet response and recovery needs," according to the United Way.

"As we prepare for Hurricane Dorian and anticipate the potential impacts, our thoughts turn to our neighbors and those who are still struggling to recover from the last storm," said Michelle Braun, local United Way president and CEO. "That is why we are activating the fund; we want to be ready. The fund has proven to be the most effective way to coordinate donations to support response and recovery efforts."

To donate go to unitedwaynefl.org/relief-fund.

In response to Hurricane Irma in 2017, donors gave about $3.8 million, which was awarded to 34 organizations that helped more than 253,000 individuals or households recover, according to the United Way.

The $240,000 that remains is available for immediate response efforts during this storm, according to the United Way. Two initial grants will go to the American Red Cross Northeast Florida Chapter and The Salvation Army Northeast Florida Area Command.

The Relief Fund will make grants only to organizations helping disaster victims in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties meet needs not covered by insurance, FEMA or other state and federal programs. All distributions are overseen by a committee, including representatives of the founding agencies, the city of Jacksonville and other major donors.

All donations will go to the relief effort and any unspent money will be used to maintain a permanent disaster relief fund, Braun said.

"While we all hope Dorian's impact is not severe, it's important we have the means and mechanisms in place to assist as soon as possible," said Alan Margolies, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville.

Beth Reese Cravey: (904) 359-4109

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