“Given the federal disaster declaration issued for Hurricane Dorian, the Greater New Orleans Foundation has activated our Response and Restoration Fund to support local nonprofits who mobilize and support disaster response and recovery efforts across the nation,” said Greater New Orleans Foundation President and CEO Andy Kopplin. “While our Response and Restoration fund prioritizes disasters in the U.S. and U.S. territories, we join so many who see the destruction in the Bahamas and want to help. That is why we have vetted and are recommending reputable organizations providing relief in the Bahamas that could use generous support now as well.”
Through the Greater New Orleans Foundation Response and Restoration Fund, we mobilize and support a network of voluntary and community organizations active in disasters (VOADS and COADS) whose expertise is deployed locally, nationally and internationally. We also honor the tradition of “paying it forward” by coordinating with a network of community foundations when disaster strikes other communities to get immediate support to the most vulnerable citizens. Our Response and Restoration Fund provides immediate relief as well as long-term rebuilding support.
Previously, the Foundation was able to provide immediate and long-term recovery grants following the activation of the Response and Restoration Fund. These grants assisted in immediate response efforts by organizations such as the Cajun Navy, SBP, NOLA Tree Project, HandsOn New Orleans, Second Harvest Food Bank of GNO/Acadiana, and the American Red Cross SELA Chapter.
With the capability to get dollars where they are most needed within 48 hours, the Foundation is poised to coordinate our grantmaking with other community foundations and place-based funders in the affected areas. In September 2018, thanks to generous donations through the Response and Restoration Fund, we provided immediate grants to the North Carolina Community Foundation following Hurricane Florence.
Donations to support North and South Carolina can be made to the Greater New Orleans Response and Restoration Fund by visiting www.gnof.org.
To assist generous donors who would like to support the relief efforts in the Bahamas, we recommend that donations be made directly to the following organizations:
World Central Kitchen
WCK has served more than 8 million meals through 23 deployments with over 44,000 volunteer shifts worked, to survivors in the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters.
Direct Relief
Approximately 75,000 people are estimated to be in need of medical assistance in the Bahamas, and Direct Relief is in direct contact with the Bahamian minister of health, who has requested medicine and medical supply support.
Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon is an international disaster relief nonprofit organization made up of military veterans and first responders who do everything from rebuilding houses to clearing debris and helping organize large groups of volunteers.
SBP
SBP’s team arrived in Chub Cay, Bahamas September 5 with partners Abaco Outreach. The purpose of the trip was to deliver solar-powered generators and desalination systems. SBP’s work will entail fundraising, procuring in-kind donations and bringing more humanitarian supplies into the relatively untouched island for immediate transport to relief organizations on Abaco Island.
About the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF):
For over 90 years, the Greater New Orleans Foundation has been connecting generous people to the causes that spark their passion. As one of the most trusted philanthropic organizations in the region, we work every day to drive positive impact through philanthropy, leadership and action in our thirteen-parish region. In addition to grantmaking, we convene people, resources, and ideas to create intelligent strategies and solutions to meet our region’s greatest challenges. We are proud to serve as a vocal civic leader with our partners to ensure a vibrant, sustainable, and just region for all. Learn more at www.gnof.org.
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