The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation is still accepting applications for grant funds available under the Texas Foundations Fund for Hurricane Relief. The Notice of Funding Availability, originally released in November 2008, is available under the Grants & Donations section at www.tsahc.org.
Funding availability for the Texas Foundations Fund--Hurricane Relief is $250,000, up to $50,000 per grant. Eligible grant applicants are:
nonprofit organizations and; rural government entities located in cities with a population less than 50,000 or counties with a population less than 100,000, not located in a federal Metropolitan Statistical Area, as of the last federal census.
Specifically, grant awards will be made for the purpose of Rehabilitation and/or Critical Repair of owner-occupied single family homes (excluding mobile homes) located in any one or more counties affected by Hurricanes Ike and Dolly, which are owned by individuals or families at 50 percent or below of the area median family income.
The specific eligible Texas counties are: Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy (Hurricane Dolly) and Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, and Washington (Hurricane Ike).
Critical Repair and/or Rehabilitation is defined as construction work necessary to alleviate hurricane damage to a home that without repair would cause or is causing a health or safety problem for the individual or family. To be an Eligible Hurricane Relief Project all work done by the Nonprofit Entity or the Rural Government Entity must be free of charge to the low-income individual or family.
To view the Texas Foundations Fund Proposal Checklist--Hurricane Relief, please visit the Grants & Donations section at www.tsahc.org.
If you are unsure of whether your entity is eligible to apply or whether you can comply with all the requirements of the application, please contact Katherine Closmann at kclosmann@tsahc.org or 512-477-3555 ext. 424.
FEMA's Long-Term Community Recovery Planning Group, Updated September 25, 2008
On behalf of FEMA's Long-Term Community Recovery planning group (ESF #14), we are collecting information regarding the impact of Hurricane Ike on non-profit and community-based organizations. Your information will be used to guide federal agencies in supporting local communities during long-term recovery from this disaster. If you have questions regarding the survey, please contact Robin Nixon at rnixon@cns.gov.
Objectives of Recovery Coordination:
Identify and addresses long-term recovery issues, including those that fall between the gaps of existing recovery mandates of Federal, State, and local departments and agencies. Identify programs and activities across the public, private and nonprofit sectors that similarly support a community’s long-term recovery, and promotes cooperation between them. Identify appropriate Federal, State, local and other public, private and nonprofit programs and agencies to support implementation of community recovery planning, and identify gaps in available resources. Avoid duplication of assistance; coordinate program application processes and planning requirements to streamline assistance processes; and identify and coordinate resolution of policy and program issues. Advise on the long-term implications of short-term response activities on recovery, and coordinates the transition from response to recovery operations.
This is the direct link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ZPOgMqOHM3LCVaHLmsGOnQ_3d_3d
Please note: We are trying to collect this information as quickly as possible. Please try to respond by Monday, October 27.
Tax Relief in Disaster Situations, Updated Sept. 18, 2008
The IRS is postponing until Jan. 5, 2009, filing and payment deadlines for Louisiana and Texas taxpayers affected by Hurricane Ike. The agency is continuing to monitor the impact of Ike. Watch this page for updates.
Tax relief is also available to victims of Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana. Certain filing and payment deadlines have been postponed until Jan. 5, 2009. See the news release for more details.
With an active hurricane season underway, the IRS recommends that taxpayers in vulnerable areas take steps now to protect their tax and financial records. For further information on hurricane recovery, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency hurricane response page.
Entergy Corporation Announces Creation of the Entergy Hurricane Relief Fund
I’m sure by now you’ve heard about Entergy’s efforts in the aftermath of hurricanes Gustav and Ike to restore power to more than 1.6 million customers from south Louisiana to the upper Texas coast. However, you may not have heard about Entergy’s response to those devastated communities in terms of corporate social responsibility.
On Friday, September 19, Entergy Corporation announced the creation of the Entergy Hurricane Relief Fund. The fund will be used to help victims of hurricanes Gustav and restore their lives. Entergy Corp. has committed $700,000 to the fund, which resides at the Foundation for the Mid South.
Unlike relief agencies that focus primarily on immediate needs, the Entergy Hurricane Relief Fund will help survivors recover and rebuild. Nonprofits and intermediary organizations serving disaster victims who reside within Entergy’s service area may apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. The fund will not provide direct grants to individuals.
Eligibility for funding is limited to nonprofits and intermediary organizations providing critical services to Entergy customers impacted by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Grants will be made only to the following types of organizations:
· Non-profit organizations that are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code ("Tax Code"), or
· Schools, hospitals, governmental units and religious institutions that hold nonprofit status similar to that of 501(c)(3) organizations
Projects funded will include rebuilding efforts such as expenses related to home building or repairs, transportation, education, starting or rebuilding a business. All funds must be targeted to projects serving communities with Entergy’s service area that were impacted by Gustav and Ike.
A selection committee(s) chosen by the Foundation for the Mid South will review all the grant requests and make funding decisions based on the information submitted on the applications.
Nonprofits and intermediary organizations can visit the Foundation for the Mid South’s Web site at www.fndmidsouth.org and click on the Entergy Hurricane Relief Fund icon to download an application. Please note that applications must be submitted by mail.
Energy Future Holdings pledges $1 million in Hurricane Ike Aid
Energy Future Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries TXU Energy, Luminant and Oncor have pledged $1 million to help families and communities impacted by Hurricane Ike on the Southeast Texas coast.
Dallas-based Energy Future Holdings (NYSE: EFH), a holding company for energy platforms, says a significant portion of the funding will benefit the American Red Cross, with the remaining funds going to food banks, shelters, housing activities and other initiatives designed to assist families in the area.
Energy Future Holdings said in a press statement that at least 14,000 homes were destroyed or severely damaged in Ike.
TANO Support for Nonprofits Impacted By Hurricane Ike
As the nonprofit state association for Texas, TANO is in the unique position to provide corporations and donors with comprehensive information on the needs of nonprofits in Texas. Some nonprofits have already updated us. For example, Project LIFT in Houston tells us...
"Our clients here in Houston are in dire need after the storm. We are still in need of food items for distribution for our clients and their families as well as to those whereby FEMA is only providing water and ice. We could use either a temporary loaner van or another donated van in order to be able to pick up families trying to get to the doctor for urgent care. The ER services will only pick up for life threatening emergencies. Also, we are delivering food to those who cannot get to the PODS. FEMA has worked through many issues, but due t! o the sheer numbers of people here in Houston impacted we still have huge food and clothing hurdles. Kroger and Coca Cola partnered in order to provide ice and water to those areas where FEMA is not but there is a need. Thanks much." Project LIFT, Houston.
To respond to these inquires, TANO is chronicling information on donation needs, volunteer needs and funding needs. If you have been impacted by Hurricane Ike or are still feeling the impact of Hurricane Dolly, reply in the comments box at the bottom of this website page or forward your needs to Mary Beth Harrington at mbharrington@tano.org. As the weeks go by we will be updating and adapting this page as necessary. Please be on the lookout for continued reports.
Relief Groups See Long Lines and Extensive Needs in Texas After Ike
By Caroline Preston, Chronicle of Philanthropy, September 15, 2008
Charities were scrambling on Monday to feed and shelter hundreds of thousands of people affected by Hurricane Ike. Relief workers said the storm, while not as damaging as they feared, would require a labor-intensive response and cost charities millions of dollars.
“Although this hit as a Category 2 level storm, the devastation is close to Category 5 in terms of the number of power outages and how hard-hit Galveston was,” said Andy Miller III, corps officer at the Salvation Army’s office in Arlington, Texas.
The disaster follows on the heels of Hurricane Gustav, which hit Louisiana during Labor Day weekend and required an extensive charity response to provide shelter to people who evacuated during the storm. Many groups say their expenses for that relief effort outpaced donations.
Expenses related to Hurricane Ike are expected to be even higher.
“It was a larger storm so we anticipated a larger response,” said Christoph Gorder, vice president of emergency response at AmeriCares. “Gustav was a destructive storm, and I think the damage has been underplayed, but this hit a very populated area whereas Gustav didn’t.”
Charity workers were bracing for growing numbers of people seeking food, water, and shelter. Electricity isn’t expected to return to parts of the state for weeks.
“We are dealing with sizable numbers of people who are going to be there for a while,” said Jonathan Aiken, director of media relations with the American Red Cross.
On Monday, the charity had more than 2,000 people and 100 emergency vehicles operating in the state.
Ross Fraser, a spokesman for Feeding America, said the food bank in Houston was preparing to provide an estimated 500,000 pounds of food per day for the next six weeks. The charity gave out 39 million pounds of food in all of 2006.
The Katrina Effect
Charity officials said they remained very concerned about their ability to raise money for the storm’s victims. One challenge, they said, is that the news-media has focused on how both Hurricanes Gustav and Ike are less damaging than Hurricane Katrina, not on those people made homeless by the storms.
“One of the things that’s going to hurt us is that everyone was expecting Ike to be Katrina-2,” said Mr. Fraser. “When other disasters pale in comparison, it’s always hard to get the attention of the public.”
Charities said they have so far seen no influx of donations for Ike. But a few companies and foundations have announced gifts over the past few days, in what appears to be a stronger initial response than corporations made after Hurricane Gustav.
Lowe’s Companies and the Home Depot Foundation each pledged grants of $1-million to victims of Ike and other storms. Marathon Oil Corporation pledged $1.5-million.
On Friday, the McCormick Foundation announced a $2-million fund-raising campaign for victims of Ike, a step it did not take in advance of Hurricane Gustav.
Kristin Kiss, senior communications officer, said the foundation’s officials had been persuaded to take action because of the dire weather predictions issued for Ike. Before Gustav, they were also concerned that many more hurricanes would rip through the Gulf Coast.
“We held back knowing that there were two other hurricanes coming down the pike,” she said.
Houston Suburbs
The Salvation Army served over 1,500 meals in southeastern Houston suburb of Pasadena Monday afternoon after establishing a staging area outside a Boys & Girls club. The entire area is without power.
“I was little surprised by the demand but happy that we were here,” says Captain Edward Alonzo, a Salvation Army incident commander.
Three tractor-trailers of food arrived Monday along with a half dozen additional food-service canteens from as far away as West Virginia and South Carolina. A shortage of fuel has slowed the charity’s ability to send food trucks into the hardest-hit areas, though as many as seven canteens have been dispatched.
Hundreds of area residents were in line well before the charity began yesterday’s breakfast feeding, many voicing frustration over the on-going power outages and closed stores. Many people are looking for ice, which the Salvation Army does not supply.
“What stores are open have huge lines and are only taking cash,” says area resident Manuel Ferez, while waiting for his serving of chicken and dumplings from a Salvation Army canteen. “How can you get cash when the banks are closed and the ATMs don’t work? And there’s a gas shortage. We can’t drive around all day looking for places that are open.”
With operations ramping up, the Salvation Army hopes to serve several thousands meals today and plans to activate a truck-based field kitchen that arrived yesterday from Florida.
“Our efforts are growing here,” says Captain Alonzo. “We will be here for awhile.”
Brennen Jensen contributed to this article
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We need a better preparedness faculty.... I think people need to remember that this was an unusually strange cyclone system... we are going to need help from nearby states with preparedness.
Catholic Charities of Central Texas ihas responded to the needs of IKE evacuees in multiple ways - gas gift cards, retail gift cards, cl;ohting vouchers,food, and assistance with emergency food stamp applications. Ike evacuees in the Austin area can be referred to us at 512-651-6100. We appreciate any donated gift cards or cash. Ask for Christine if interested in donating.
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St. Dominic Village is a continuing care retirement community offering senior citizens safe, secure living in a continuum of levels of care.Although IKE caused significant damage to the faciolity, our staff worked around the clock for four days treacherous days without power, protecting and comforting the 175 residents & 17 retired priests remaining at St. Dominic Village. By the grace of God, and with extraordinary effort from our staff, we had no loss od life or injury from the storm. With no
Owned by and a ministry of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, San José Clinic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and United Way agency. The Clinic uses a model of care initiated 86 years ago by relying on dedicated volunteer healthcare providers and community volunteers who donate their time and services on a regular basis to address patients’ various health needs within a single, convenient setting. Since 1922, San José Clinic has been providing quality healthcare services to economically
Open Door Mission residents were out in the community immediately after Ike helping neighbors remove trees that had fallen on house, clearing debris, etc. The Mission escaped major damage, but lost several computers from minor water damage. Mission residents handed out truck-loads of food and ice to powerless neighbors and would appreciate donations to help cover the costs.
The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Madre through Hurricane Dolly sustained gymnasium floor damage, the insullation needs to be replaced as it did get wet. We need to replace shelves, furniture, computers, books, and arts & crafts supplies due to water damaged. We have applied for an SBA loan. Thanks for your support and consideration. We serve 600 Club members are limiting the use of our Club until repairs are made. We are located in Port Isabel, TX 956-433-7307.