Strengthening Hurricane Sandy Recovery Efforts

• Hired a consultant who assisted in raising and distributing funds to local nonprofits;
• Convened a wide range of stakeholders—including leaders from 51 Staten Island-based nonprofits—for a Town Hall event to share information about how to better prepare collectively for future disasters;
• Raised more than $1.5 million in donations for the Fund (including a $1 million grant from the American Red Cross), and committed $500,000 of its own funding; and
• Established SIF as a trusted source for foundations in advising and directing them to local important nonprofits working in their areas of interest.

Co-Funding and Additional Funds Leveraged: The grantee reported that the consultant supported by this grant has improved SIF’s communications and raised its profile in New York City and beyond. Her assistance is also credited for facilitating SIF’s, Long Island Community Foundation’s, and Brooklyn Community Foundation’s joint contribution of policy recommendations to the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, a federal initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. SIF continues to retain the consultant’s services to assist in its work with the Staten Island Community Reconstruction Zone Committee, which is part of New York State’s Hurricane Sandy recovery effort. In all, Staten Island received $25 million in restoration funds following an intensive eight-month planning process.