Volunteer Florida, the state’s agency responsible for securing volunteers and donations before, during and after disasters, distributed more than $5 million from the Florida Disaster Fund Hurricane Irma Recovery Grant today. Following a competitive Request for Proposal process, 33 different organizations, providing crucial repair, restoration and reconstruction or replacement services throughout Florida, were selected to receive the funding.
The Florida Disaster Fund was established to assist communities as they respond to and recover from emergencies or disasters. Last September, Governor Scott activated the fund to finance organizations, like the recent grantees, that serve those impacted by Hurricane Irma.
“Volunteer Florida is proud to support organizations that invest in Florida’s future and prove the state’s resiliency,” said Vivian Myrtetus, CEO of Volunteer Florida. “From community-wide transformations to satisfying individual needs, these funds will be used to ensure the devastating effects of Hurricane Irma do not stand in the way of Floridians’ continued success.”
The grantees are as follows:
- Centro Campesino: $250,000.00
- Florida Regional Interfaith Interagency Emergency Network in Disaster, Inc.: $250,000.00
- Volusia Interfaith Agencies Networking in Disaster: $250,000.00
- Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, Inc.: $250,000.00
- St. Johns Housing Partnership, Inc.: $250,000.00
- Lake and Sumter Recovery, Inc.: $250,000.00
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach, Inc.: $250,000.00
- Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties, Inc.: $250,000.00
- Long Term Recovery Group, Monroe County: $250,000.00
- The Immokalee Unmet Needs Coalition: $250,000.00
- Samuel’s House (DBA KeysStrong.org): $250,000.00
- Hearts & Hands Disaster Recovery: $250,000.00
- Florida Conference of the UMC Disaster Recovery Ministry, Central Florida: $175,000.00
- Florida Conference of the UMC Disaster Recovery Ministry, Northeast Florida: $175,000.00
- Florida Conference of the UMC Disaster Recovery Ministry, Tampa Bay: $175,000.00
- Florida Conference of the UMC Disaster Recovery Ministry, Collier County: $175,000.00
- Florida Conference of the UMC Disaster Recovery Ministry, Monroe County: $175,000.00
- Compass 82: $150,000.00
- Disaster Services Corporation, St. Vincent de Paul, USA: $150,000.00
- United Way of Broward County: $150,000.00
- The Business & Technology Development Corporation: $150,000.00
- Recover Pinellas: $128,619.00
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, Inc.: $106,092.00
- BRACE: $100,000.00
- Feeding Northeast Florida: $100,000.00
- Orange County Long Term Recovery Group: $100,000.00
- Farm Share, Inc.: $100,000.00
- Catholic Charities, St. Augustine Regional Office: $100,000.00
- National Church Residences Foundation: $100,000.00
- Northeast Florida Builders Association, Builders Care, Inc.: $100,000.00
- Naples Senior Center at JFCS: $100,000.00
- LTRO of Citrus County: $100,000.00
- St. Johns/Putnam County Long Term Recovery Organization: $50,000.00
Volunteer Florida is the Governor’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service in Florida, administering more than $32 million in federal, state and local funding to deliver high-impact national service and volunteer programs in Florida. Volunteer Florida promotes and encourages volunteerism to meet critical needs across the state, and also serves as Florida’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during and after disasters.
Established in accordance with Section 14.29 (9), Florida Statutes, the Volunteer Florida Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. The Florida Disaster Fund, administered by the Volunteer Florida Foundation, was established in 2004 to assist with needs unmet by other disaster relief organizations.
