Generous Donors Drive Hurricane Recovery Efforts

To amplify and inspire giving during these challenging times, donations to the Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $250,000.*

Following the devastation of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, our community has faced unprecedented challenges. Homes have been damaged, businesses disrupted, and thousands of families have found themselves in need of basic essentials. Despite this severe storm season, the overwhelming generosity and support from our community has inspired hope and resilience.

Community Response

Community Foundation Tampa Bay is proud to support both immediate hurricane relief and long-term recovery efforts, thanks to the generosity of our fundholders and donors. Already, more than $4.8 million has been distributed to the community through the Community Foundation to support local nonprofits working tirelessly on the ground to aid those impacted by the storms. These numbers continue to grow daily, reflecting the ongoing commitment to rebuilding.

Match Opportunity: Double Your Impact

Thanks to Community Foundation Tampa Bay fundholders Linda and Randy Simmons, Ferman Automotive Group, The Dixie Foundation, Bob and Maria Goen, and The Thomas Family Foundation, who made the remarkable decision to provide match dollars for the Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund, every dollar given will now have double the impact. *

Come alongside these generous donors to help restore homes, provide food and medical care, and ensure that our nonprofits can continue to serve those in crisis.

*Contributions to the Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $250,000.

Making a Tangible Difference

Thanks to the support of these and many other donors, the past few weeks have seen real, measurable results, visible in the lives that have been uplifted, homes that are being restored, and the hope that is being renewed across our region. Here are just a few examples of the incredible impact our donors’ generosity has had on the ground:

• Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay distributed hurricane relief kits, including essentials like tarps, cleaning supplies, and MREs, to support families, as part of their long-term recovery efforts.
• Community Food Bank of Citrus County, which was still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Idalia, received the funds necessary to stay open, allowing them to continue feeding vulnerable members of the community who rely on their services daily.
• Bay Area Legal, a legal aid organization providing free legal help to vulnerable populations, was able to expand their team by hiring an intake screener to support their Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline.
• Mary & Martha House, a sanctuary for women and children fleeing domestic violence, was able to provide hotel vouchers for their residents after the shelter flooded, preventing vulnerable women from being forced to return to dangerous home environments.
• Reach Services delivered much-needed food and supplies to those hit the hardest by the hurricanes.
• 360 Eats was able to expand their services, providing nourishing meals and essential food items to individuals and families facing food insecurity in Oldsmar—a part of our community significantly impacted by recent hurricanes.
• The University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC) provided essential support to those affected by the storms, offering showers, laundry facilities, restrooms, and meal assistance to impacted members of the community.

Ongoing Recovery Efforts

The recovery process from Hurricanes Helene and Milton is far from over. While we have made incredible strides thanks to the generosity of our fundholders and donors, the journey to full recovery will require sustained effort and continued support. We are deeply grateful to those who have already contributed, and we invite others to join us in rebuilding and strengthening our community.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps ensure that nonprofits can continue their vital work of providing shelter, food, medical care, and hope to those most in need. Together, we can rebuild not only the structures that were damaged but also the sense of security and hope that makes Tampa Bay home.