San Diego County CA— The San Diego Foundation activated the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund to collect and manage charitable funds for the response and recovery from wildfires currently impacting the San Diego region, including the Lilac Fire. Donations can be made online at SDFoundation.org/DisasterFund or by texting “SDRecover” to 50155 via mobile phone.
The fund will receive donations and make grants to nonprofit service organizations engaged in disaster recovery and rebuilding. Funds granted through the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund will be based on a community needs assessment that leverages third party data, research and analysis to determine where the greatest needs are within the region.
The following is a statement from Kathlyn Mead, President and CEO of The San Diego Foundation, about the recent disaster and the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund:
“The San Diego Foundation is collaborating with San Diego County officials and emergency response organizations working around the clock to ensure the safety of our residents. The Foundation has activated the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund to ensure our region is able to effectively respond, recover and rebuild from the Lilac Fire and other wildfires currently impacting the San Diego region.”
“As we experienced in 2003 and 2007, the damage caused by wildfires can devastate entire communities, and the recovery process takes years. We know that following the immediate response there will be significant short-term and long-term needs for our fellow community members to rebuild their lives. The San Diego Regional Disaster Fund is activated to serve as a resource for survivors, community members, nonprofit organizations, government entities and donors.”
As San Diego’s local community foundation, The San Diego Foundation takes a leadership role to maximize the impact of charitable giving during the aftermath of wildfires and other disasters. The San Diego Regional Disaster Fund at The San Diego Foundation was established to prepare for regional crises and make grants to nonprofit organizations that provide relief to the San Diego region during and after a disaster. The San Diego Regional Disaster Fund does not grant directly to individuals or families, but to the nonprofit organizations that serve individuals and families.