News

Hurricanes Irma and Maria

Resources to Guide Philanthropic Response

Disaster Overview

Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida on September 10 as a Category 3 storm after leaving a trail of destruction through the Caribbean, including significant devastation throughout the Leeward, U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Haiti. Deaths have been attributed to the storm all along its’ path and many islands remain without power and with little shelter. More than seven million were evacuated throughout the affected areas.

Hurricane Maria made landfall on September 20 on Dominica and Guadalupe islands in the eastern Caribbean as a Category 5 storm. It continued on and slammed into the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as a Category 4/3 storm, leaving widespread flooding and destruction. 

Partner Resources

Conference Calls & Webinars

Hurricane Maria: A Deep Dose of Urgent Needs in the Aftermath  — On October 6th, the Council hosted a conference call to update interested funders on the current status of unmet rescue and recovery needs identified by the community foundations and FEMA teams on the ground in the U.S. Caribbean islands. 

After Harvey and Irma: Specific Challenges Facing Immigrants and Refugees — The Council partnered with Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees to co-sponsor a webinar looking at the unique post-disaster challenges facing immigrants and refugees, particularly those who are low-income and limited English proficient, exploring both immediate and long-term needs.

Hurricane Irma: What Funders Should Know — The Council co-hosted a webinar with the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and Southeastern Council on Foundations for funders looking to respond to the disaster on Thursday, September 14.

Response Funds

Several Council partners and Members have established response funds for disaster recovery including: 

A complete list of response funds can be found on CDP's 2017 Hurricanes in the Caribbean.

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Disaster Grantmaking

Questions?

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Natalie Ross

Vice President, Membership, Development and Finance