The Community Foundation Santa Cruz County has established the Fire Response Fund to support those affected by the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires. Donations to the fund will be distributed to nonprofit agencies and organizations directly assisting individuals to meet needs as they arise.
The Foundation will work with trusted nonprofit partners and County leaders to closely evaluate needs from the fire and work to address them through the generosity of neighbors helping neighbors. The Fire Response Fund page will be regularly updated with how donations are assisting the community as the situation evolves. The Community Foundation has been designated by California Volunteers, an office of Governor Newsom, as a destination for and distributor of charitable donations related to the disaster. Those wishing to contribute to the fund can make a gift of any amount at https://www.cfscc.org/donate/fire. 100% of donors’ gifts will be used for grantmaking. All donations are tax-deductible.
“Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by these fires,” said Community Foundation CEO Susan True. “We have been in touch with leaders from Davenport Resource Service Center and Valley Churches United and we are aware that safe evacuations of frail seniors, people without transportation, and others at risk is the highest priority.”
True continued, “We have faced extraordinary challenges this year. Most of us are already frayed and this is scary. We are grateful to our firefighters, the Sheriff’s Office, Jason Hoppin, the County’s public information officer, our local news outlets, disaster service workers, and all of those working tirelessly to keep Santa Cruz County residents safe during these terrible fires. The fires are yet another time for us to come together, check on a neighbor, get resourceful, give generously, and be kind and gentle with each other. Our community, each other–it’s what we have.”
The Community Foundation was created to meet disaster with generosity and action. In times like this, giving locally is especially critical. As the Foundation has done for past fires, floods, earthquakes, it embraces the role to inspire local giving that meets local needs.
About Community Foundation Santa Cruz
Since 1982, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County has brought together people, ideas, and resources to inspire philanthropy and accomplish great things. The Community Foundation helps donors and their advisors invest wisely in causes they care about, to provide grants and resources to community organizations, and to offer leadership around key local issues The Foundation manages more than $145 million in charitable assets, and provides customized and tax-smart giving solutions that resulted in more than $12.5 million in grants in 2019. Thanks to generous donors, over $100 million in grants and scholarships have been awarded locally since 1982. The Community Foundation seeks to make Santa Cruz County thrive for all who call it home, now and in the future. Learn more at www.cfscc.org.
