Community Foundation assesses nonprofit needs

It’s been 10 years since Stewart Stearns, then the president and CEO of Community Foundation of Sarasota County, created the Sarasota County Disaster Relief Fund.

The fund was created to provide food, clothing, shelter, medical treatment and other support to Sarasota County and the surrounding area in the wake of a disaster.

“It’s just been sitting here and fortunately we haven’t had to do anything with it,” Community Foundation Senior Vice President of Community Investment John Annis.

But as Hurricane Irma tracked near Florida, the Foundation  activated the fund and invited the public to donate.

“While we don’t know the path, we want to ensure we are ready for the support we know our community will give,” President and CEO Roxie Jerde said in an email to County Administrator Tom Harmer about the fund on Wednesday. The fund is specific to needs within Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Charlotte counties.

Hurricane Irma hit Sarasota as a two hurricane late Sunday night with sustained wind speeds of 100 mph. Many residents were relieved on Monday to find that the worst forecasts failed to come to fruition. However with downed trees and many residents still without power, Annis said residents and Community Foundation donors leapt to assist in any way they could. 

Annis said one woman in Lakewood Ranch who has already taken in several dogs and called this morning to say she thought she could take another. 

"It does make you feel good," Annis said. "The way this community pulls together ... It's heart warming to hear the stories."

The foundation also opened another fund on Friday. 

“This other fund we will put up will be more general in nature to support Hurricane Irma,” Annis said.

For those wanting to donate to general relief efforts, Annis said giving blood is always proactive. Humane societies and food banks are also good places to direct donations, but also noted that it ultimately boils down to personal preference.

“We have so many wonderful nonprofits that probably all need support,” Annis said.  

The Patterson Foundation has already donated $250,000 to the fund and is prioritizing local needs. The Patterson Foundation also donated $250,000 to Center for Disaster Philanthropy and $250,000 to NetHope to assess needs in the Caribbean and improve communications infrastructure based on those assessments.

Locally Annis advised concerned residents to check the foundation’s website and social media accounts, in the days following Hurricane Irma, . The foundation is polling its nearly 800 partner organizations to assess local needs and will be updating the public on local needs as information becomes available. 

"Stay tuned," Annis said. "We put a hold on all of our regular business. This has become a priority for us."