La Grange, TX – Credit: Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN, Texas – Austin Community Foundation announced $781,000 in grants to six nonprofits for projects addressing the long-term recovery efforts of communities affected by Hurricane Harvey, which devastated the Texas Gulf Coast and surrounding areas in August 2017.
The grants were distributed through the Central Texas Long-Term Hurricane Recovery Fund to support revitalization in areas neighboring Central Texas impacted by the storm. Shortly after Hurricane Harvey made landfall on the Texas coast, Austin Community Foundation, Capital Factory, Entrepreneur’s Foundation of Central Texas, LiveOak Ventures, MFI Foundation, and United Way for Greater Austin teamed up to create the fund and coordinate efforts of the local philanthropic community.
“After almost a year since Harvey made landfall, many Texans are still struggling to recover,” Mike Nellis, CEO of Austin Community Foundation, said. “Thanks to support from our partners and the Central Texas community, this funding will help our neighbors as they continue to rebuild their communities and their livelihoods.
The grants focus on projects that support recovery in three areas: housing, human services and economic development. Grant recipients, award amounts and projects include:
- PeopleFund – $250,000 – Small Business Loans for Entrepreneurs Affected by Hurricane Harvey. These funds are leveraged by an additional $500,000 from PeopleFund to provide up to $750,000 in capital for recovering small businesses. The PeopleFund match was made possible by funds from JPM Chase Foundation, Northern Trust, and other generous partners.
- Fayette County Disaster Recovery Team – $250,000 – Hope Hill (a planned neighborhood for displaced homeowners and renters)
- American Youthworks – $100,000 – Hurricane Harvey Disaster Strike Teams
- Bastrop County Long-Term Recovery Team – $76,000 – Finding Relief After Hurricane Harvey and Beyond
- Lone Star Victims Advocacy Project – $65,000 – Legal Assistance to Immigrant (domestic violence) Survivors in Rural Texas
- Operation Finally Home – $40,000 – Hurricane Harvey Veteran Modification Projects
Hope Hill plans to provide safe, affordable housing options to the most vulnerable families impacted by Hurricane Harvey,” Kenneth Couch, executive director of the Fayette County Disaster Recovery Team, said. “This funding helps do more than build homes and lay streets. It allows us to create a community where families can live without fear of flooding.”
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