Community Crisis Fund Press Releases

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October 28, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Augusta, GA

The Community Foundation for the CSRA is pleased to announce the second round of rapid relief and response grants from the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund in the amount of $743,000 to the following nonprofit organizations:

American Red Cross – CSRA
Apparo Academy
Augusta Dream Center
CSRA EOA
Edgefield County Churches Helping Others
Edgefield County Youth Empowerment Center
Manna
St. Vincent de Paul Society Georgia
The Jessye Norman School of the Arts
Women in Unity

On Tuesday, October 8, the Community Foundation released the first round of rapid relief and response grants totaling $1,595,000.00 from the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund. With this distribution of grants, more than $2.3 million has been distributed to nonprofit organizations working in 18 counties in and around the CSRA.

“This is the beauty of the Community Foundation.” says Shell Berry, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “We are uniquely positioned to come alongside the local nonprofit agencies answering the call, helping them gain access to funding and support so that they can continue to help our community. The hard work of rebuilding our community has only just begun. This is a process that will continue for months and years to come. The Community Foundation is committed to walking alongside our community as we recover from this historic storm.”

The Community Foundation for the CSRA continues to play an essential role in disaster relief and recovery in our community. Since the day after the storm, our team and board of directors have been working tirelessly and in close collaboration with local leaders, community partners, nonprofit organizations and impacted individuals. We continue to connect local nonprofits with much needed support.

We are not done with the fundraising effort. As we move into the second phase of rapid relief and response, the eye of the national news has turned elsewhere. Over the next several months, as we move into the recovery and stabilization phase, we will need support more than ever to put us on the path to rebuilding and community resilience.

To contribute to the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund, visit www.cfcsra.org.

October 10, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Augusta, GA

On Friday, September 27, the Community Foundation established the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund to support immediate as well as long-term recovery needs of our community after the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on the Augusta region.

The Community Foundation for the CSRA (CFCSRA) is no stranger to playing an essential role in disaster relief and recovery in our community. Since the day after the storm, our team has been working tirelessly and in close collaboration with local leaders, community partners, nonprofit organizations and impacted individuals to understand the immediate response and to get a sense of the evolving priorities and unmet needs.

With the help of philanthropy-serving organizations such as Philanthropy Southeast, the Council on Foundations, and the Georgia Grantmakers Alliance spreading the word, donations began before our local team could even get out of our homes and check on loved ones. The lead gift of $5,000,000 from the Augusta National Golf Club and the Community Foundation was announced on Thursday, October 3, and, since then, millions more have been contributed by individuals, organizations, and foundations who want to help the Augusta community in a local and impactful way.

The Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund is pleased to announce the first round of rapid relief and response grants totaling $1,595,000.00 to the following nonprofit organizations:

ACTS
Augusta Locally Grown
Black Farm Street
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta
Community Ministries of North Augusta
Family Connections
The Family YMCA
Golden Harvest Food Bank
143 Ministries
Ronald McDonald House
The Salvation Army of Aiken
The Salvation Army Augusta Area Command
United Way of Aiken County
United Way of the CSRA

“These nonprofits are working daily on the front lines of this disaster, tarping roofs, cutting down trees, feeding and housing people, supplying generators and fuel, providing childcare so parents can get back to work, and so much more.” says Shell Berry, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “While the stories we hear are heartbreaking, at the same time we see our nonprofit, business, and volunteer community coming together, rolling up their sleeves, and pitching in wherever needed. Although the need is almost beyond comprehension, basic needs are being met and miracles are happening each day.”

We are not done with the fundraising effort. This first phase of rapid relief and response will continue for the coming days. Over the next several months, we will move into the recovery and stabilization phase and will need support more than ever to put us on the path to rebuilding and community resilience.

To contribute to the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund, visit www.cfcsra.org.

The generous funding provided in response to Hurricane Helene is offering essential support to communities in need across multiple counties. Each grantee is actively and tirelessly working across diverse service areas to make certain that relief efforts effectively reach those who are most affected.

Through the collaborative efforts of these dedicated organizations highlighted below, the Hurricane Helene funding is making a significant impact in restoring hope and rebuilding lives.

Recovery Programming

The Recovery Programming grant is designed to fund programming and activities initiated or expanded in response to the impact of Hurricane Helene.