Puerto Rico: A TBF Giving Guide
Exactly five years after Hurricane Maria battered Puerto Rico, causing billions of dollars in damage and displacing thousands, the island again faces a daunting recovery, from Hurricane Fiona. More than two feet of rain has flooded entire communities, and thousands have lost their homes and belongings. The entire island is facing power outages and hundreds of thousands of families have no running water. The Boston Foundation, in partnership with our Latino Equity Fund, is sharing a list of organizations on the ground in Puerto Rico. Many of these organizations were grantees for our Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico fund, which raised over $4 million in support after Maria, and all of them are able to receive grants from your TBF donor advised fund.
Grassroots organizations:
- Para la Naturaleza works on the ground on climate change and emergency issues related to climate. Following Hurricane Maria, the organization cleaned up parts of the island utilizing their large volunteer brigade.
- Fondista de Jesús provides homeless shelter services and acts as soup kitchen for families. Given the devastation, there will be many families who will need meals and a place to stay.
- Fundacion Pediatrico has a health mobile van visiting families in the hardest hit areas. They also operate a community needs bank (diapers, formulas, children’s clothing, voucher for food, etc).
Larger organizations and fiscal sponsors:
- Hispanic Federation, which raised and distributed more than $50 million in relief resources after Maria, is already on the ground in Puerto Rico providing emergency relief services and essential supplies to communities across the island.
- Puerto Rico Community Foundation has established a fund to support organizations that are providing emergency relief to those affected by Hurricane Fiona.
- Boys and Girls Club of Puerto Rico offers a safe and creative place in which children and youth get the resources and tools needed to escape poverty, and will be there for young people during the recovery from Hurricane Fiona.
- Centro para Emprendedores is reopening their Business SOS fund to provide technical assistance and small grants to small businesses owners.