AN UPDATE ON THE HURRICANE KATRINA RECOVERY FUND
From the Twenty-First Century Foundation
February 2008

The destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita changed the lives of thousands of individuals and families along the Gulf Coast.  21CF responded within days of the disaster, by establishing the Hurricane Katrina Recovery Initiative, with a mission to provide targeted support to rebuild the lives of Black and low-income people and communities directly impacted by the hurricanes.  This special initiative involves collaborating with partner organizations in the affected regions while mobilizing individuals and other allies from different parts of the country, to ensure that proper resources get to the people who need them most.  

Due to the widespread devastation and immediate need for relief, our initial efforts focused on providing basic needs of those affected by the hurricanes.  Moving forward, it was crucial to not only react, but also to seek out organizations taking actions that provide long-term solutions to the challenges these communities will continue to encounter throughout the rebuilding process.  Our priority--then and now--is to make strategic grants for relief, recovery, and advocacy efforts that provide a voice for all people in the planning process for the reconstruction of the region.

Since 2005, 21CF has made more than 190 grants totaling almost $3 million dollars to worthy and proven groups throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and the neighboring states of Alabama and Texas, as well as to national organizations working in the region who are committed to rebuilding a Gulf Coast that will be stronger than prior to the hurricane's devastation.

The Hurricane Katrina Fund leverages the strengths of The Twenty-First Century Foundation beyond its grant making efforts.  We build durable coalitions, provide comprehensive donor education, and use multiple platforms for our communications.  Our strategic approach as comprehensive and effective because we:

• Invest significant staff time in the region
• Engage local organizations as equal partners in the work
• Serve as an information conduit among local and regional groups, as well as allies throughout the country
• Invest in building the capacity of those who serve the Gulf Coast through organizational development, media and advocacy training, and fostering cooperation and collaboration among our grantees
• Link our donor base to a network that strategically allocate resources to those most effectively providing the proper services to those in need
• Cultivate and leverage relationships with other funders around an equity agenda
• Help drive the national dialogue to advance systems of change in the Gulf Coast.

Please click here for a full listing of 21CF grantees of the Hurricane Katrina Recovery Initiative.  To make a donation to support the ongoing work of the initiative, please click here.

As we continue our grantmaking in the region, 21CF will stay true to its vision of equity and racial justice in the Gulf. And with your help, we will expand the impact of this strategy.

Please give generously—and please ACT NOW!

Click here to make a donation through our secure online donation form.

To join our strategy for long-term investment in Black communities, or to learn more, please contact Rev. John Vaughn at (212) 662-3700 ext. 201

Special people create opportunities when given a chance. Please Click here to find out more on our friends from the Gulf South Allied Funders.

Gulf South Allied Funders (GSAF)
Click here to see more information on GSAF

After the Deluge: Fighting the Impacts of Katrina and Rita
A Report from The Twenty-First Century Foundation
January 2007
Download pdf