The collected funds will be applied to immediate assistance for residents affected by the wildfires and long-term community recovery. Immediate assistance will focus on providing assistance to displaced families, support for evacuees, and other identified basic needs. Thanks to the generous support of over 460 individuals, corporations and community partners, UWBA and its partners were able to mitigate some of the catastrophic consequences of wildfires in 2020.
Over 130,000 meals were served to those who were evacuated or lost their homes
Critical immediate direct aid relief in excess of $100K was provided.
Nearly 11,000 individuals and households displaced by wildfires received assistance.
What counties will be covered by the Greater Bay Area and Central Coast Wildfire Relief Fund?
United Way Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Solano counties) United Way of the Wine Country (Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt & Del Norte Counties) United Way of Monterey County United Way of Santa Cruz County
How will wildfire relief funds be distributed?
The four local United Ways will share resources based on mutual assessment of local needs and the opportunity to fill gaps in services and leverage other philanthropic resources. We will make decisions on fund distribution with equitable insights from our community members and partners.
What will wildfire relief funds be used for?
The collected funds will be applied to short and, immediate relief assistance, and long-term recovery for residents and community agencies in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Solano, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt, and Del Norte counties. Relief efforts may include providing basic needs services to individuals and assisting non-profit agencies serving vulnerable populations with new or expanded roles in disaster relief. Long-term recovery support may include food and rent assistance to help people who have lost employment, case management services, and mental health counseling. Other long term recovery activities may include efforts to prepare for and support community-wide recovery.
Will there be an administrative charge applied to wildfire relief fund donations?
Yes, the partnering local United Ways (United Way of the Wine Country, United Way Monterey County, and United Way of Santa Cruz County), may use 5% of donated dollars toward core capacity and operations in service of the wildfire fund.
How do I get information about additional resources?
Contact 2-1-1 for phone and text services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in 150 languages through phone interpretation services. Text services are available in English and Spanish. 2-1-1 provides free and confidential information about local social services, including disaster assistance, food, health care, housing and utilities payment assistance, employment services, childcare, and family services. 211bayarea.org.