Monterey County Fire Relief Fund Grants $165,165
The River, Carmel and Dolan fires that broke out in Monterey County beginning August 16 caused the loss of more than 120 structures so far and thousands of evacuations. The Dolan Fire doubled in size overnight on September 7 and injured three firefighters. There have also been many positive stories of neighbors helping neighbors.
One way people have come together is by donating nearly $700,000 for local fire relief through September 8. Individuals, companies and foundations gave more than $549,000 to the Monterey County Fire Relief Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC). The CFMC created the fund to assist communities affected by the River Fire, Carmel Fire and Dolan Fire. It is also a vehicle to facilitate giving for future fires that may occur.
Donors contributed more than $149,000 combined to the Community Fund for Carmel Valley and the Big Sur Relief Fund of the Weston Call Fund for Big Sur. These are funds of the CFMC which make grants to benefit their specific regions.
Donations to the fire funds support both immediate relief and recovery efforts and 100% of donations will be used for grantmaking. The CFMC granted a total of $165,165 through September 11 to seven nonprofits assisting those impacted by the fires.
Monterey County Fire Relief Grantees:
- American Red Cross of the Central Coast for recovery efforts
- Big Sur Fire for firefighter needs for the Dolan Fire including equipment repair, meals and fuel
- Carmel Valley Kiwanis Foundation, for support for evacuees’ immediate needs
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey, for support for evacuees’ immediate needs
- Community Association of Big Sur (CABS), for support for evacuees’ immediate needs
- Salvation Army, Monterey Peninsula Corps, for support for evacuees’ immediate needs
- CERV of the Monterey Peninsula, for MontereyCoRecovers for basic needs
- Friends of Cachagua Children’s Center, for grocery gift cards for evacuated families
- Hope, Horses and Kids, for evacuation operating support
Thank you so much for this grant to help those most impacted by the Dolan Fire,” – Patte Kronlund, Board Secretary Community Association of Big Sur, a fire relief grantee.
Grants from the Monterey County Fire Relief Fund will go to nonprofits and organizations assisting individuals and families with emergency assistance, health and human services, short term housing/rental assistance, reimbursement of equipment and supplies and recovery support for affected residents. Nonprofits can apply or learn more at cfmco.org/FireReliefGrants.
In addition to the general Monterey County Fire Relief Fund, the CMFC has two funds responding to specific fires. The Community Fund for Carmel Valley will deploy funds affected by the Carmel Fire, and the Big Sur Disaster Relief Fund, part of the Weston Call Fund for Big Sur, will make grants to support those affected by the Dolan Fire in Big Sur.
People can donate securely online at www.cfmco.org/firerelief or mail a check made payable to:
Community Foundation for Monterey County to 2354 Garden Road, Monterey, CA, 93940, noting “Monterey County Fire Relief,” “Carmel Valley Relief,” or “Big Sur Relief” in the memo line.
Donors can also give by phone by calling 831.375.9712 Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations to the Community Foundation for Monterey County are tax deductible.
About the Community Foundation for Monterey County
The mission of the CFMC, celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2020, is “to inspire philanthropy and be a catalyst for strengthening communities throughout Monterey County.”bThanks to community members who have created charitable funds in their lifetimes or through their estates, the CFMC has granted more than $205 million to nonprofits working towards healthy, safe, vibrant communities since 1981. For information call 831.375.9712 or visit www.cfmco.org.
Grant totals updated 9/16/2020