Greater Dubuque Disaster Recovery Fund

When a disaster happens, our community wants to help. The Greater Dubuque Disaster Recovery Fund was created to provide a collaborative option for donors to help address both immediate and long-term unmet needs that will arise during times of disaster. The intention of the DRF is to provide a nimble philanthropic fund for the Dubuque region in the face of uncertainty caused by disaster. It was created to supplement, not replace, existing resources and services provided by nonprofits and local, state and federal agencies. Each disaster is unique and unanticipated needs will arise. This fund is intended to be flexible and responsive in meeting needs that are not otherwise covered by existing programs.

Over the last couple of years, local organizations have come together to explore a coordinated way to support our community in the face of disaster. Led by a core group of organizations - the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States, Dubuque County Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross of Northeast Iowa, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Operation: New View and UnityPoint Finley Visiting Nursing Association - a series of community conversations were held with nonprofits and other service providers to lay the groundwork for unforeseen challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Disaster Recovery Fund is implemented by the Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COAD) Long-Term Recovery Committee. The fund is held at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque on behalf of the community. Grants will be provided to community-based organizations/service providers active in current response and/or preparation in the areas of economic and health impacts for vulnerable populations. Grants from the the Disaster Recovery Fund may be awarded on a rolling basis as the Committee continues to assess the evolution of the disaster and community needs.

In this difficult time, you can make a difference for your neighbors. To date, gifts to the Disaster Recovery Fund have helped support many needs, including:

11,500 meals per week for children not in school
375 telehealth counseling sessions through Substance Abuse Service Center
700 well-being checks, 43 shopping trips, and food deliveries to 27 addresses through DuRide
5 food pantries throughout Dubuque County

We still have a long way to go to meet the tremendous needs caused by this crisis. Make your gift today.