The Next Phase of Community Recovery

UPDATE May 8, 2024:

As recovery from yesterday's tornadoes begins, United Way SCMI and Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) are joining in collaboration to lend our shared strengths to relief efforts. We are working alongside partners at Gryphon Place and 2-1-1 as they identify community needs and determine how best to mobilize resources. To contribute to the overall recovery effort, you can donate to the Community Urgent Relief Fund (CURF) at KZCF by clicking the button below.

Apply for CURF Funding

As in past disasters, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and United Way of South Central Michigan are joining in collaboration to lend our shared strengths to relief efforts for the May 7, 2024 tornadoes.

Due to the limited funds available and the specific, place-based nature of this response, the application for this funding is only accessible through the Kalamazoo County Response Consortium (KCRC) and our community’s Community Resilience Program Manager, Renwick Ballew (they/them/theirs) who can be contacted at rballew@gryphon.org. Please include ‘CURF/DRF Funding’ in the subject line of the e-mail.

These funds will be granted to 501c3 nonprofit organizations, individuals or groups with a 501c3 fiscal sponsor and/or public entities who are providing direct services to residents of Kalamazoo County and Kalamazoo County households impacted by the May 7, 2024 tornadoes.

Priority activities include (but are not limited to):

• Direct cash assistance to individuals or households who have experienced a loss of income or loss of property directly related to the tornadoes.
• Temporary housing assistance (hotel stays, shelter costs, rental assistance or housing relocation support) not covered by insurance
• Critical home repairs not covered by insurance
• Assistance with repairing or replacing critical necessities not covered by insurance (i.e.. furniture, clothing, appliances, or a vehicle)
• Costs associated with disaster response case management or volunteer management.

Priority populations include (but are not limited):

• Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPoC) community members
• Individuals over 65 years old
• Individuals with disabilities
• LGBTQIA+ Individuals
• Households (including children) who have income below the Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed (ALICE) threshold
• Geographical areas (ie. townships or neighborhoods) with a high concentration of ALICE households
• Individuals who may experience systemic barriers to accessing available governmental resources (such as individuals who lost or are without identification, individuals for whom English is not their first or preferred language)

Note: CURF and DRF funds are intended to complement resources available from FEMA, state and local governmental agencies, and private insurance.

Please direct any questions to communityimpact@uwscmi.org.