$29 Million in Donations Reached to Date for Hurricane Relief Fund Created by Mayor Sylvester Turner and Judge Ed Emmett with More Donated Daily

HOUSTON, Sept. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater Houston Community Foundation announced today that the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, set up by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, has received $11.5 million in donations, with an additional $17.5 million in commitments. The Fund is focused on the immediate and long-term relief efforts in Harris County and Houston (which may include City residents in Fort Bend or Montgomery County).

The distributions and grants will be made in support of the Fund's charitable purposes: relief efforts to aid the victims of the flooding and other damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, including shelter and temporary housing needs, food and supplies, healthcare, transportation, child care, facility needs of child care and social service agencies, and other purposes approved by the advisory committee and consistent with the Fund's charitable purposes. Because of the immense need in and around Houston, this Fund is dedicated to filling the gaps that are not met by other local and federal efforts. This is one of many important philanthropic efforts across Houston and Texas that will support those in affected areas whose lives have forever been impacted by this disaster.

"There are so many critical efforts to raise funds in support of the relief efforts here and across the state – such as the American Red Cross, United Way, J.J. Watt's Flood Relief Fund, and many others," explained Stephen Maislin, CEO of Greater Houston Community Foundation. "The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, set up by Mayor Turner and County Judge Emmett, is vital to the recovery efforts and will fill gaps where federal and state funding will not. In other words, many of these funds will go directly to support immediate needs in our city."

A fund advisory committee has been established and will ensure that there is a process to determine unmet needs in these areas. Tony Chase, Chairman & CEO of Chase Source, and Bill Jackson, Harris County Budget Officer, will co-chair the advisory committee of 10 members. The Greater Houston Community Foundation will oversee and administer the grant distribution process.

Maislin continued, "We continue to receive interest from people all over the country who want to contribute and help. The devastation from Hurricane Harvey is being felt across the state by families and businesses that have been impacted in profound and numerous ways. These are the leading companies and foundations in the world with their eyes and hearts on Houston. The genuine heartfelt outpouring of concern is palpable."

Throughout their history, the Greater Houston Community Foundation has administered the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund, The Hurricane Ike Recovery Fund, as well as the Storm Relief Fund of 2016. The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund is one of many vital philanthropic funds that, in conjunction with federal and state efforts, are designed to support the relief and reconstruction efforts.

The Greater Houston Community Foundation will share information about all grants publicly on its website and through other communications for complete transparency about the expenditure of funds.

About Greater Houston Community Foundation

Greater Houston Community Foundation (GHCF), with over $640 million in assets, is one of Houston's largest grant makers and provides individuals, families, corporations, foundations, and advisors with the ability to reach beyond what they could have ever imagined to expand philanthropic impact. GHCF impacts the community and donors' initiatives with the most comprehensive, aligned, and focused philanthropic resources, expertise, and platforms. Services include consulting and programming geared towards topics of interests, particularly for families, while continuing to offer our more traditional consulting services aimed at helping individuals and corporations manage their assets to maximize philanthropic capital and impact. GHCF is the go-to partner for many of the most high-profile philanthropic partnerships in the city. https://ghcf.org/

CONTACT                                                                                        
Rachel Young
Greater Houston Community Foundation
713-333-2234
[email protected]

SOURCE Greater Houston Community Foundation

Related Links

https://ghcf.org