Disaster Recovery Fund Invests $120k to Support Families Facing Return-to-Learn Uncertainty

Sep. 22, 2020

 A total of $120,000 has been invested from the Disaster Recovery Fund into eight local nonprofits to support return-to-learn programming for students from underserved communities. This programming will help to ensure parents have the ability to maintain economic stability, and that young people have safe and supportive environments to learn, grow and prosper in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The organizations receiving support are Al Éxito, Capitol Park Early Learning Center, Children and Family Urban Movement, Genesis Youth Foundation, Highland Park Community Development Association, Hispanic Educational Resources, Inc., Oakridge Neighborhood Services, and Willkie House. 

Investments from the Disaster Recovery Fund are currently supporting surges in service and capacity for local nonprofits providing critical services that address the economic needs and health impact on vulnerable populations caused by COVID-19. As supporting the most vulnerable populations is the top priority in this unprecedented time, there is no administrative fee for participating in the fund. 

To date, the Disaster Recovery Fund has raised more than $1 million thanks to the generous support of the people, businesses and funders of Greater Des Moines. To give to the Disaster Recovery Fund or learn more visit www.desmoinesfoundation.org/disasterfund. 

The Disaster Recovery Fund Grantmaking Committee works closely and collaboratively with local nonprofits and other emergency management initiatives to understand the critical needs in our community to provide resources where they are most needed and to supplement, not replace, existing resources and services provided by nonprofits and local, state and federal agencies. 

The Disaster Recovery Fund was created in recent months as a critical component of the community’s collaborative Disaster Recovery Plan. The Disaster Recovery Coordination Team consists of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, United Way of Central Iowa, Polk County Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross- Central Iowa Chapter, IMPACT, Polk County and Community Family and Youth Services- Polk County.