Manatee Community Foundation building is open and staff are ready to assist those nonprofits affect by Hurricane Idalia.

The time to support our community is now!  

Here are some considerations as you form your own giving plan that is personally meaningful and will make a true difference post-Hurricane Idalia: 

1. Decide if you want to support relief (help people with needs shortly after the disaster) or recovery (help communities in the long-term). 

2. Make sure your gift is made to a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit that has experience working in the community you would like to support. This will help you avoid scams and ensure that your gift reaches people with need. Do not give money over the phone. You can reach out to Manatee Community Foundation at mcfinfo@ManateeCF.org if you would like assistance researching a specific organization. If you are searching for an organization providing relief or recovery in a certain geographic area or with a specific mission, we are happy to share choices for consideration. You can also find organizations on The Giving Partner for research and review. 

3. Consider giving to a local community foundation‘s disaster relief or recovery fund to leverage your dollars. Community foundations are 501(c)(3) organizations. Their staff know the communities they serve, and they have relationships with organizations doing the hard work. 

4. To support local relief efforts, consider investing in the Manatee Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund which supports organizations serving Manatee County residents’ preparedness, immediate relief, and long-term recovery. 

However you choose to give, there is no amount too small or big. 

Nonprofit Support After the Storm 

In anticipation of the aftereffects of Hurricane Idalia, we activated our Disaster Relief Fund Application. Once your organization has assessed the damage from the storm, let us know what you need to ensure you can continue to serve your clients by completing our Hurricane Idalia Grant Application. Reach out to mcfinfo@manateecf.org with any questions. 

Your support and partnership are crucial to the success of our shared goals, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to our community in these challenging times. 

This is the time to make necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones during this weather event. Together, we will weather this storm and emerge stronger as a community. 

Thank you for your unwavering support.