VCCF Disaster Relief Update: Over $1 Million Awarded in Grantmaking
Dear Ventura County Community Foundation Family,
As we approach the end of this very challenging month of December, our hearts and minds remain focused on those most impacted by the Thomas Fire. To that end, the VCCF Board of Directors unanimously approved an additional round of Sudden and Urgent Needs Funding (SUN Fund) late last evening. I want to thank all of the generous donors who have contributed to this round of SUN Fund grantmaking.
In this latest round of funding, we award an additional $31,500, which brings the total grantmaking to over $1 million so far this month in response to the fires. Please note that 100% of each dollar contributed goes directly to relief efforts.
· YMCA Ventura ($5,000) for gift cards for families who have lost homes, membership to facilities for families who have lost homes, childcare program costs for affected families.
· Boys & Girls Club Camarillo ($6,600) to help cover the staffing and utility costs of the 6 days of day camp being open in response to school closing due to air quality issues.
· CAUSE ($600) for masks for farmworkers.
· Ventura Botanic Gardens ($5,000) for the partial cost of Earthguard to protect against erosion.
· Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura ($14,300) to help cover staffing and costs for days schools closed due to the fire.
Our next phase of strategic grantmaking will be focused on medium- to long-term support. When a disaster strikes, on average 73% of funding is directed to immediate relief, while the recovery and rebuilding process can take many years. We know there will be significant long-term needs for our fellow community members as they rebuild their lives. Long after media attention has shifted away from our community, we will be here, committed to providing support that addresses the most critical needs of our nonprofits and their clients.
Recovery and rebuilding is extremely complex and we have already started the process to understand what those needs will be. In this next phase we will use our experience to
· Convene our nonprofit partners who are working with people impacted by the fires.
· Collaborate with a diverse range of leaders and agencies to support our community.
· Conduct a due diligence process to effectively support those who need us most.
In other communities, recovery efforts have included basic needs as well as longer-term economic, health, and social supports. Through our grantmaking, we will address issues of disparity in our community. Many low-income families and individuals were already struggling to make ends meet in Ventura County before this disaster struck, and we are committed to supporting those who need our resources the most.
Donations to the Ventura County Community Disaster Relief Fund will be used across our county and will be directed to the areas of greatest needs. To make a donation online, please visit www.vccf.org.
Thank you again for your commitment to our community. We will continue to keep you updated on our response efforts. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me anytime if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Vanessa