The Ford Foundation has announced $1.5 million in disaster relief grants to community nonprofits and small businesses for recovery efforts in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton in the Southeast United States.  

Relief efforts will focus on several areas of need, including zero-interest loans, grants for small businesses, and targeted relief for low-income people with disabilities and seniors. Grantees receiving emergency funding include Faith in Florida, Black Collective, Florida Rising, Appalachian Community Capital, New Disabled South, and Kelly’s Kitchen. The funding will bring the foundation’s total giving in the U.S. South and heartland to more than $195 million since 2016. 

“Across the U.S. South, communities have been hit hard by these devastating back-to-back storms, and it’s those already facing stark inequity who suffer the most. The South is a critical region if we want to end inequality in the U.S., and we need to ensure it recovers and thrives,” said Ford Foundation vice president of U.S. programs Sarita Gupta. “Our partners on the ground are courageously stepping up to help rebuild and intervene for those most vulnerable, and we hope other funders will join us at this time of urgent need.”

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