THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MARTIN – ST. LUCIE has a Disaster Relief Fund. This fund is a vehicle that allows donors to direct their gifts to specific areas of critical need following a disaster. Presently, the fund is focused on accepting contributions for disaster relief efforts in the Bahamas related to Hurricane Dorian.
On August 27, Hurricane Dorian, then a Category 1 storm, made landfall in Saint Lucia. Dorian then moved across Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. On September 1, Hurricane Dorian made landfall on Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas.
As you are aware, Hurricane Dorian caused significant damage to the Bahamas. For two days, the Category 5 storm brought with it 30 inches of rainfall, extreme winds, and catastrophic flooding with a storm surge approximated at 23 feet high. Early reports indicate more than 13,000 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed, with the final number expecting to be higher.
There are a number of organizations assisting with recovery efforts that have been vetted by the Bahamian government. The Community Foundation is prepared to facilitate contributions to any of those organizations, or donors may give directly by going to https://www.bahamas.com/relief. The Community Foundation will continue to work with other interested partners to identify additional charitable organizations that are working directly to assist with disaster relief efforts.
If you would like to send a check, please send the check payable to The Community Foundation Martin – St. Lucie at 851 SE Monterey Commons Boulevard, Stuart FL 34996. Please note in the memo BAHAMAS DISASTER RELIEF.
The Community Foundation’s fund will facilitate donations directly to organizations that are focused on providing assistance for: emergency food, shelter, other basic needs, and long-term relief efforts. Grants will only be made to registered 501(c)(3) charitable organizations in good standing.
The Foundation will not assess any fees for any gifts processed through the TCFMSL Bahamas Disaster Relief Fund. Foundation staff are also available to provide advice to donors who elect to make gifts directly.
For information related to donating supplies in the region or for additional information related to contributions, please contact the staff at The Community Foundation at 772.288.3795.