Storm Relief Funding Opportunities!
Options for organizations, and community-serving small businesses
It has only been one week since the rains from Chantal flooded our beloved community. One week! And we have pulled together and accomplished great things in a very short period of time.
First of all, THANK YOU!!!
As of Monday, July 14 at 5:00 pm Saxapahaw Forward has raised nearly $48,000 from just over 500 donors through our online campaign. In addition, several people have given checks and cash to Deborah Perotti, our Treasurer, making this total even higher. Thank you for your amazing generosity!
Our fundraising platform, Zeffy, is completely free to us, so that 100% of your donation goes directly to funding flood relief. In exchange, Zeffy releases the money once a week. Since the fund was set up late last Monday night, the first disbursement of funds (just over $36,000) will be in our bank account Tuesday morning (July 15).
Second, and as a point of clarification…
Saxapahaw Forward was asked to set up this fundraising opportunity during the community meeting last Monday, July 7. We quickly jumped in to provide a tax-deductible option for giving. As we have waited for this first disbursement of funds, we have been learning how we can give the funds away as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, several organizations and small businesses have set up separate GoFundMe campaigns. We recognize that the need is great for many of these organizations and small businesses, and encourage individuals and businesses to support rebuilding in our community in whatever way seems best.
Third, we are ready to give this money away!
Organizations and small businesses can apply TODAY for a grant. Every effort has been made to keep the grant process as simple as possible. The first grant submission deadline is Friday, July 18 at midnight. It is our hope that the money will be disbursed within 72 hours. Additional grant submission deadlines will follow each week for as long as donations continue to come in.
In order to provide broad oversight for the grant process, a Disaster Relief Grant Committee has been set up with five members – 1 from Saxapahaw Forward, 1 from SAFE, 1 from our small businesses, and 2 from the broader community.
All organizations and small businesses in Saxapahaw that have been directly affected by the disaster or have helped support recovery efforts are encouraged to apply.
For more details and to apply for a business or organization grant, please fill out the linked Google Form.
If you have questions about how to frame your proposal, please feel free to reach out to Amy Beth Kessinger at 802-681-8830 or amybethkessinger@gmail.com.
Finally, individuals and families will also be supported!
Thanks to the United Way of Alamance County, funds will be available as early as tomorrow to support all individuals and families who have been impacted by the flooding in Saxapahaw.
More information will be sent out as soon as we receive it.
We are so proud to be in community with you and we are grateful for all of the ways that this village has showed up for one another in the last week and will continue to do so moving forward!
