Greater Houston Disaster Alliance Invests $1.3 Million in Grants to Nonprofits Serving Impacted Households

Data-informed grants from the Severe Weather and Derecho Recovery Fund to help households most impacted by recent storms

HOUSTON, TX (June 5, 2024) – The Greater Houston Disaster Alliance is investing $1.3 million from its Severe Weather and Derecho Recovery Fund in grants to help area neighbors who are struggling to recover from severe weather that impacted the region over the past month. This round of grants will provide emergency financial assistance for basic needs including food, water, and medication; flexible emergency financial assistance to help households cover various disaster relief and recovery-related expenses; and resource navigation support to help people access additional recovery services, such as FEMA and Small Business Administration assistance. To move quickly and efficiently in getting aid to those in need, grants are distributed through a trusted network of nonprofit partners based on capability to provide needed services and geographical reach to affected communities in the City of Houston and Harris, Montgomery, and Waller counties.

Nonprofit partners receiving grants to provide basic emergency financial assistance include Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Community Assistance Center, Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation, Humble Area Assistance Ministries, Target Hunger, and Tejano Center for Community Concerns, Inc. Nonprofits receiving grants to provide flexible emergency financial assistance and resource navigation include Community Family Center/Centros Familiares de la Comunidad, East Harris County Empowerment Council, Easter Seals of Greater Houston, Inc., Family Service Center of Houston and Harris County, Hope Disaster Recovery, LLC, Memorial Assistance Ministries, Inc., Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston Houston, Volunteers of America Texas, Wesley Community Center and West Street Recovery.

“We know those impacted by these severe weather events are already working hard to recover, and we’re hopeful this first round of grants can provide some support during already difficult times,” said Stephen Maislin, president and CEO, Greater Houston Community Foundation. “Time is of the essence when it comes to disaster recovery, and I’m grateful for early gifts in from generous funders and for our Disaster Recovery Council moving quickly to get this first round of grants into our community quickly and equitably.”

The Disaster Recovery Council, made up of volunteer leaders from the business and philanthropic community, leads grantmaking efforts for the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance. To better understand community needs and help guide funding considerations, a rapid data analysis was conducted using a variety of data sources to help identify the low-to-moderate income zip codes that were disproportionately impacted by severe weather events. Based on this analysis, 31 zip codes were identified across the City of Houston and Harris, Montgomery and Waller Counties as disproportionately impacted.

To date, the Severe Weather and Derecho Recovery Fund has raised nearly $2 million from generous corporations and individuals. Recent commitments and contributions include Randa & K. C. Weiner ($100,000), AT&T Inc. ($20,000), and Aramco Americas (undisclosed).

“Our ability to quickly get dollars into our community is a testament to the swift response from our generous corporate and individual supporters who immediately agreed to help,” said Amanda McMillian, president and CEO, United Way of Greater Houston. “There is still work to be done, and we encourage anyone who can to consider supporting this recovery fund so we can continue to offer support to those disproportionately impacted by these recent disasters.”

To give to the Severe Weather and Derecho Recovery Fund, visit www.disasteralliance.org/derecho. Fund leaders continue to seek additional donations and, if sufficient funds are raised, a second round of grants will be distributed focusing on home repairs for uninsured and under-insured households.

Residents of Harris, Montgomery, and Waller counties who were affected by the severe weather between April 26 – May 17 can directly contact agencies receiving grants or complete the Connective Needs Assessment to receive more information on assistance. Those who need immediate assistance are encouraged to call the 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE, the community’s key 24/7 information source during times of disaster. United Way’s 211 provides callers with the most updated information on assistance with utilities, housing or rental assistance, crisis counseling, access to senior and veteran services, information on food pantries in the community, and other available services. Assistance through 211 can also be accessed through the following methods in the event of long wait times due to periods of heavy call volume:

• Visit 211texas.org to search resources online or chat online with a specialist.
• Email [email protected] for assistance.

With over 35 years of combined experience leading disaster recovery efforts, the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance was formed by Greater Houston Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Houston to ensure that the region has the social service network and systems in place to respond rapidly, equitably and effectively in times of disaster. Through an initial investment from Enbridge and Phillips 66, the Disaster Alliance focuses on maintaining and strengthening year-round disaster preparedness and resiliency.

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