Disaster Relief Fund History

History — UUA Disaster Relief Fund

Hurricane Matthew rips through palm trees in Haiti

In late August 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas gulf coast. The damage was devastating to Houston and the surrounding communities. The Southern Region worked with the national UUA to create a fund that would assist congregations and communities in need.

But as we were getting our processes and procedures in place, Hurricane Irma hit Florida. Within the span of only two weeks, two Category 4 hurricanes struck the continental United States — for the first time in recorded history.

And the devastation wasn’t over yet — in mid-September, Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Caribbean — locations that had also been hard hit by Irma just a few weeks earlier.

When crises like this happen, people want to help. Previously, the creation of funding streams to aid congregations and communities impacted by disaster was done by the Districts and Regions, but a new understanding of the increasing frequency and scale of disaster caused by global climate change and an increasing understanding of our interdependence across the country led the Southern Region to work with the four other regional teams, Stewardship and Development, Faithify, and other departments within the UUA to create a new Unitarian Universalist Association Disaster Relief Fund, funded by individuals and congregations.

This new grant-making fund gives us a national, coordinated way to be there in times of need.

In the first year of existence, the Hurricane Harvey fund (split with the UUSC) and the general Disaster Relief Fund raised nearly a million dollars and gave out over half the funds raised to Unitarian Universalist congregations and organizations to provide immediate and intermediate relief to areas impacted by disasters. From hurricanes, to fires, to flooding, the comprehensive Disaster Relief Fund is there in times of need.

n the first year of existence, the Hurricane Harvey fund (split with the UUSC) and the general Disaster Relief Fund raised nearly a million dollars and gave out over half the funds raised to Unitarian Universalist congregations and organizations to provide immediate and intermediate relief to areas impacted by disasters. From hurricanes, to fires, to flooding, the comprehensive Disaster Relief Fund is there in times of need.

The stories of how congregations and organizations have used their grants are inspiring and show the impact of the fund:

  • Our Puerto Rico congregation meets in a library, and they received funds to repair it so that it could quickly become a community resource to those in need.
  • One of our US Virgin Island congregations meets in a school, and they received funds to get it operational so that all the children on the island could return to school and some semblance of normality.
  • Our congregations in Houston have used the funds for building repairs, but also to provide a safety net for their congregants — many of whom had difficulty meeting their insurance deductible.
  • Star Island received a grant to repair their facility after a series of Nor’easters caused extensive damage.

Newer grants are listed on our Disaster Relief Fund Activity Page.

2021-22 Disaster Relief Fund Activity

In 2021-23, it as a “quiet” year for natural disasters impacting our congregations. The total disbursed was $50,030, and was given to three congregations. Grants in 2021-22 included:

  • UU Church of the Philippines received funding to help repair UU churches in parts of the Negros Island and to assist many members of multiple UU churches in their recovery efforts following Typhoon Rai/Typhoon Odette.
  • UU Church of Bowling Green (KY) received funding to clear tree damage on their property and to help member families who were temporarily or permanently displaced following tornadoes.
  • UU Church of Fort Myers (FL) received funding in the wake of Hurricane Ian — other congregations received grants in the following fiscal year (2022-23).

2020-21 Disaster Relief Fund Activity

In 2020-21, a total of $227,903 was given out in 20 grants. Earlier in 2020 following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Disaster Relief Fund pivoted to allow grants of up to $5,000 to congregations to help them serve their members and their communities. Grants were used to support food pantries and other outreach programs. Other grants supported flood recovery, responses to the catastrophic freezing in Texas, wildfires, and derecho damage. Disaster Relief Fund grants in 2021 included:

  • UU Congregation of Fairfax (Oakton, VA) received funding to assist with their Covid-19 food ministry efforts to combat hunger in the wider community.
  • Free Church Unitarian (Blaine, WA) received funding to help repair damage following a flood.
  • Community UU Church (Plano, TX) received funding to assist with replacement of flooring and walls following a freeze which resulted in burst pipes flooding their building. First UU Congregation of Houston (TX) received a grant to help provide water to vulnerable housing communities in their area.
  • Birmingham Unitarian Church (Bloomfield Hills, MI) received funding to help restore building spaces damaged by flooding.
  • Rogue Valley UU Fellowship (Ashland, OR) received funding to assist both members and wider community families who lost their homes to wildfires.

2019-20 Disaster Relief Fund Activity

In 2019-20, the Disaster Relief Fund started giving out small grants to help congregations and their communities who were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of $164,814 was given to 18 Unitarian Universalist congregations and affiliated organizations. These included help with Disaster Relief Fund grants in 2020 included:

  • UU Church of the Philippines received funding to purchase N95 masks for distribution to people in their area affected by ashfall following the eruption of a volcano.
  • Greater Nashville UU Congregation (TN), in a joint effort with First UU Church of Nashville, received funding to support Black-led community partner organizations engaged in relief efforts following a tornado.
  • UU Society of Coralville (IA) received funding for a community partner organization helping immigrant families, whose jobs were affected because of Covid-19, with rent assistance and groceries.
  • Black Lives of UU (BLUU) received funding to assist individuals and community partner organizations experiencing significant hardships due to Covid-19.
  • First UU Church of Columbus (OH) received funding to assist a community partner organization working with immigrant detainees affected by Covid-19.
  • UU Fellowship of Elkhart (IN) received funding to replace flood damaged flooring and drywall.

2018-19 Disaster Relief Fund Activity

In 2018-19, a total of $249,233 was given to 13 Unitarian Universalist congregations and affiliated organizations. Disaster Relief Fund grants in 2018-19 included:

  • UU Fellowship of New Bern (NC) received funding to help support a newly formed Disaster Recovery Alliance to enhance recovery efforts in hard-hit low-income areas following Hurricane Florence.
  • Anchorage UU Fellowship (AK) received funding to restore broken ceiling tiles following an earthquake.
  • UU Church of Arlington (VA) received funding to help with repair work to their RE classrooms, chapel, and storage rooms following flooding due to record rainfall.

2017-18 Disaster Relief Fund Activity

This was the year that the UUA founded the Disaster Relief Fund. You can read about that founding below. In 2017-18, $358,319 was given in 24 grants. The largest portion of this, over $300,000, went for hurricane relief. In addition, there were major storms in the Northeast, and fires in the west.

  • The congregation in Durango, CO, used the funds to thank and help the firefighters who were leaving their own homes to save other people’s homes.
  • In addition, organizations like Black Lives of UU and UU Social Justice Florida have gotten grants to assist people who may or may not have direct ties to our faith but are a part of our community.
  • Other funds went to support congregation impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

2017 Disaster Fund Activity

Northern California Fires

  • Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, CA — To provide emergency assistance to families who lost their homes and to assist in repairs related to smoke damage for other households.

Hurricane Irma and Maria Response

After the Southeast and the Caribbean experienced two category five hurricanes within a week of each other, the initial Hurricane Irma Recovery Fund was broadened and renamed the UUA Disaster Relief Fund. Initial grants have been awarded to:

  • Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater , FL—To assist in repairs caused by the downing of a very large tree on church property.
  • Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers , FL—TFor debris removal and repairs of building and exterior signage, as well as emergency assistance to several families for temporary housing, power generator, and repair of a mobile home.
  • Canon Unitarian Universalist Church, GA—To assist with roof repairs to their building.
  • Unitarian Universalists of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR—TFor emergency supplies and to assist in repairs to the local library where they meet. More aid will be sent as the island regains basic services such as water and power.
  • UU Fellowship of St. Croix, USVI—TFellowship members are forming working teams with community partners to go door-to-door to conduct “wellness checks” on residents and help them address their immediate needs. This is especially important as the island is under a strict curfew, with just four hours a day available for people to leave their homes.
  • Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. John, USVI—To assist in rebuilding the Gifft Hill School where the fellowship meets and so that the school can re-open as soon as possible. All students in St. John will be able to attend while other schools are under repair.

The Disaster Relief Application Review Team will continue to process grant applications and make disbursements as funds are available.

Hurricane Harvey Response

Gifts made to the Hurricane Harvey Recovery Fund were allocated 50/50 between the UUA and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). The first UUA Harvey-related grants have been awarded to the following:

  • Black Lives of UU —For emergency assistance to Black UUs who do not have a congregation.
  • Emerson UU Church , Houston—To repair damage to their building and assist over 30 families who were dislocated by Hurricane Harvey
  • Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church , Houston—To provide transportation and direct assistance to sixteen families who were dislocated by Hurricane Harvey

The UUSC is allocating its portion of Hurricane Harvey funds to grassroots organizations serving the most vulnerable communities—namely, immigrants, the disabled, and people of color in resource-poor communities. Already vulnerable populations are more likely to suffer than others.

  • Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES)
    • RAICES is working directly with undocumented families and plans to hire five attorneys to help with the legal needs these families now face. They are also working with shelters to ensure the protection of undocumented communities.
  • Living Hope Wheelchair Association
    • Living Hope serves people living with injuries and disabilities that require them to use wheelchairs. The majority of its members are immigrants (90%) and low-wage workers who are not entitled to benefits, lack medical insurance, and do not have a stable source of income. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the organization had to rescue many of its members and has been distributing much-need medical supplies to a highly vulnerable community.