Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Relief Fund Surpasses $42,000 in Donations; Local Grants to be Made to Agencies Assisting with Relocation Efforts
NEW BRITAIN, CT -- With the Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Relief Fund well on its way to $50,000 in donations, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain and American Savings Foundation – which teamed together in late September to establish the fund in the wake of the devastating storm – have announced that the grant application process has been opened to non-profit organizations in the Greater New Britain area seeking assistance with relocation efforts of hurricane victims.
Some 30 percent of the fund – which now totals more than $42,000 – is being reserved specifically for local agencies and organizations helping displaced residents of Puerto Rico. The other 70 percent will go directly to Puerto Rico to assist with the rebuilding process on the island, which is expected to begin in the coming weeks now that power has been restored for most of the island.
Applications are available at www.cfgnb.org/requests-for-proposals.
“With resources to assist those in need so limited, and local agencies struggling to do what they can for victims who more than four months after the storm hit still may not know where their next night will be spent, this fund and the modest grants it will provide will prove vital,” said David Obedzinski, president of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain. “Every little bit will help in bringing these victims a bit closer to a sense of normalcy.”
Obedzinski said he is hopeful of reaching at least $50,000 in donations and he encouraged local citizens, businesses and organizations to continue to support the fund. To donate, visit www.cfgnb.org, click on GIVE NOW! and select the Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Relief Fund from the drop-down menu.
Applications for funding are open only to local non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States IRS Code or which are a qualified entity eligible to receive grants from community foundations under the IRS code. Only qualified agencies or organizations specifically involved in relocation efforts for or assistance to hurricane victims are eligible. Grant requests may not exceed $5,000 and will be considered on a rolling basis as funds allow.
Applicants will be required to describe how the requested funding will specifically help individuals and/or families displaced from Puerto Rico, and those who have been impacted by the storm locally.
Both the American Savings Foundation and the Community Foundation have pledged to cover all administrative fees related to the fund to ensure that 100 percent of donations go to help hurricane victims and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.
Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, manage permanent charitable assets effectively, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For more information, visit www.cfgnb.org.
To donate online, visit www.cfgnb.org, click on GIVE NOW! and select the Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Relief Fund from the drop-down menu. To donate by mail, make a check payable to the Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Relief Fund and mail to Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, 74A Vine Street, New Britain, CT 06052.
###
Contacts:
David Obedzinski
President
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
860-229-018, ext. 306
david@cfgnb.org
Dennis Buden
DBPR
860-558-0514
dennis@dbpr.net
Website: www.cfgnb.org