In September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit our region, causing widespread damage throughout South Florida, the Florida Keys and the Caribbean islands. With the support of donors around the globe, The Miami Foundation raised more than $6.4 million for relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts for all the affected communities. As we work to ensure our community is prepared for the 2018 hurricane season, please contact Lindsey Linzer for more information. 

To date, we’ve awarded more than $5.4 million to support organizations addressing key needs in the region, and continue to fund efforts addressing the following issues:

• Relief Aid: Providing humanitarian assistance to people lacking access to food, water, shelter or supplies
• Hardship Recovery: Helping residents overcome enduring economic, social, health and physical hardships from the hurricane
• Resilient Recovery: Restoring the capacity of community groups and government bodies to help residents recover, cope with and prepare for disasters

To do this, we created five funds to address the short and long-term needs of the affected communities:

HURRICANE RELIEF FUND

The Miami Foundation’s Fund supports nonprofits addressing food security, vulnerable populations, stable housing and other immediate to long-term needs for residents in Miami-Dade and the Keys.

Feeding South Florida, which received $50,000 to support the distribution of hurricane relief food and supplies.

New Florida Majority Education Fund, which received $65,000 to help residents navigate recovery assistance and for long-term outreach for low-income communities.

IRMA COMMUNITY RECOVERY FUND

This Fund supports relief efforts for Florida’s marginalized communities, ensuring residents in poverty have access to critical services, resources and build long-term capacity to organize social justice efforts as they respond to future disasters.

U.S. CARIBBEAN STRONG RELIEF FUND

This Fund supports relief efforts in Caribbean island nations and territories, including Antigua & Barbuda, U.S. Virgin Islands, Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Food for the Poor, which received $65,000 to repair roofs on damaged homes and schools in Dominica.

Florida Memorial University, which received $50,000 to assist students from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in continuing their college education.

KNIGHT PUERTO RICO FUND FOR HURRICANE RELOCATION

This Fund assists residents of Puerto Rico who are relocating to South Florida to re-establish and rebuild their lives.

WALMART PUERTO RICO RELIEF FUND

This Fund supports relief efforts in Puerto Rico, leveraging our country’s ability to come together and support residents on the island. Walmart matched every dollar donated with two dollars up to $1 million.

Mercy Corps, which received $1.9 million to build 15 resilience hubs and support long-term disaster preparedness in Puerto Rico.