Hurricanes Irma & Maria – Donations
Many people have emailed and asked where they can send donations to help the U.S. Virgin Islands and its residents after two devastating category 5 hurricanes caused catastrophic damage on St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island. Thank you for your willingness to help the islands in their recovery!
Below are established non-profit community organizations, based in the Virgin Islands, that have been doing great things in the Virgin Islands for years and have added hurricane recovery funds to their list of ongoing projects. They are local foundations that already support a variety of programs on each island and are ready and able to use their established networks and volunteers to help the islands during the rebuilding.
Official Recovery Site: Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI): To help those affected by the hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) has established a Fund for the Virgin Islands. 100% of your donation will benefit those in crisis. CFVI is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been operating in the USVI for more than 25 years. It has supported past relief efforts in the region and is working closely with government and community providers to identify priorities and direct resources for immediate needs as well as long-term recovery efforts. Visit: https://www.usvirecovery.org and https://cfvi.net.
St. Croix Foundation: The St. Croix Foundation is a hybrid community foundation that provides direct services and leadership to improve the socioeconomic welfare of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Established in 1990, their work impacts almost every aspect of life in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the St. Croix Foundation a 501 (c) 3 organization launched the VI CARE Fund. In collaboration with other community organizations, this effort will provide support for recovery efforts in the USVI and Caribbean Basin. http://www.stxfoundation.org
The St. John Community Foundation: The St. John Community Foundation is committed to collaboratively identifying and addressing community needs to enhance St. John. They have been responsibly managing local and federal funds for over 28 years.
Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park: Friends of Virgin Islands National Park is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of the natural and cultural resources of Virgin Islands National Park. They have added hurricane relief and rebuilding to their projects; and noted that there is a tremendous amount of clean-up, re-building and re-designing needed. From clearing debris to rebuilding roads, trails and beach access ways.
Additional Noteworthy Fundraising Efforts:
Virgin Islander, and former NBA Basketball Star, Tim Duncan has created a fund for hurricane relief. He will match financial donations up to $1,000,000 for relief efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, he is hoping to raise an additional $1,000,000 through this ask in relief supplies for this area.
Kenny Chesney, country music singer, and huge St. John fan has created a fund and merchandise to support relief on St. John and the British Virgin Islands.
There are many other organizations and individuals on the ground helping in the relief efforts; from churches and restaurants that established food kitchens and are distributing meals; to family centers providing relief supplies. We hope to share these with you too, stay tuned.
