Transforming Communities

Nearly 18 months after Hurricane Helene swept through the southeastern U.S., North Carolina Community Foundation is continuing to support community members and organizations in their recovery.

In a time of deep national division, community foundations across the country are stepping up to create meaningful ways to connect neighbors and foster a sense of belonging.

In response to recent severe storms in Alaska, local community organizations and regional partners have come together to establish the Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund, housed at the Alaska Community Foundation.

Omaha Community Foundations uplifts their communities following a stream of devastating tornadoes in early 2024.

Community foundations in every region of the country play a leading role in quarterbacking rapid-response and longer-range fundraising, including East Tennessee Foundation.

The Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund activated by East Tennessee Foundation in response to Hurricane Helene has so far provided $4.8 million to support its community.

Those who want to help those impacted by the deadly tragedy in Texas are encouraged to contribute or share Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s Kerr County Flood Relief Fund and San Angelo Area Foundation’s San Angelo Disaster Relief Fund.

Community foundations across California are activating rapid response funds to help those impacted by the devastating wildfires that have displaced nearly 200,000 people in and around Los Angeles.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Florida’s community foundations have launched rapid response funds to address community needs.

Oregon Community Foundation’s Project Turnkey provides emergency shelter to priority populations in 27 cities throughout Oregon.

Credit: Oregon Community Foundation

How community foundations are responding to the Hurricane Helene catastrophe.

Leaders from 16 U.S. community foundations were among more than 40 speakers who testified at a hearing hosted this week by the Internal Revenue Service to gather public input on proposed regulations to donor-advised funds.

Baltimore Community Foundation has launched the Key Bridge Emergency Fund to address recovery needs after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

New foundation leaders are taking the lead on more critical issues to bring in new donors to support advocacy and policy change.

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has set up the Davidson County Relief Fund and the Tennessee Emergency Response Fund in response to the devastating tornadoes that impacted parts of Tennessee over the weekend.

The Impact of Giving Days report reveals that 29 U.S. community foundations raised more than $262 million combined in donations from local giving events hosted in 2022.

Community foundations are ramping up efforts to increase voter participation for local elections.

In response to the tragic mass shooting that occurred on Wednesday, the Maine Community Foundation is taking action and ramping up efforts to support families and individuals who were deeply impacted.

The foundation has been able to direct about $20 million from the Maui Strong Fund to support nonprofits that were addressing immediate needs after the Maui wildfires.

As Hurricane Idalia makes landfall, community foundations in Florida have launched disaster relief funds to support impacted communities.

For Central Carolina Community Foundation Give 8/28 Day offers an opportunity to help build relationships with Black donors and forge stronger connections with nonprofits in its community.

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) has activated its Maui Strong Fund — which will provide shelter, food and financial assistance to partners on the ground in Maui.

A 5-percent mandatory payout on individual donor-advised fund accounts would likely result in a decline in total giving at a time when people are looking to the nonprofit sector to do more.

National Criminal Justice Month may be over, but community foundations’ support of initiatives to reform our criminal justice system are a year-round commitment.

Americans have long distinguished themselves through unusually high rates of charitable giving, and recent crises have made clear that their generosity will be needed even more in the years ahead to meet our nation’s acute needs.