The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation is donating $100,000 to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) to aid the people and communities of Maui as the tragic wildfires persist. HCF has activated its Maui Strong Fund, which is supporting evolving needs associated with the disaster including shelter, food, financial assistance, and other services.
“When crises of this magnitude occur, we rely on the people with ‘boots on the ground.’ In this case, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation has longtime partnerships with many nonprofit organizations currently doing the critical work on Maui,” said Christopher McGuire, President and Chairman of the Board of the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation.
During disaster preparedness and response HCF collaborates with partners, both inside and outside philanthropy, for a coordinated effort to secure maximum community impact.
“HCF has demonstrated its ability to raise funds quickly—and deploy grants rapidly to community
organizations that are at the heart of emergency response efforts,” said Catharine Reed, Vice President of Charitable Programs of the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation.
“HCF is collaborating with Maui County Mayor Bissen, state leaders, and nonprofit organizations to assess
the evolving situation and the priorities needed to support Maui residents at this time,” said Micah Kāne,
CEO and President of HCF. “A sincere mahalo to our donors who continue to support our community in the times we need it most. Our hearts go out to everyone on Maui right now.”
The death toll in Maui is over 100, with possibly 1,000 still missing. More than 2,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged by the fires and more than 2,100 acres burned. These numbers are expected to grow as the fires are not yet contained. The origin of the fire is still under investigation.
HCF has been working to make Hawaii a better place since 1916. When not focused on emergency response, HCF stewards more than 1,100 funds, established by individuals, businesses, and organizations that contribute to the needs of Hawai’i residents in such services as affordable housing, freshwater resources, the healthy development of young children and more. For additional information or to contribute to HCF visit hawaiicommunityfoundation.org. One hundred percent of donations collected for the Maui Strong Fund are being distributed for community needs.