Community Urgent Relief Fund

In 2008, Kalamazoo Community Foundation established the Community Urgent Relief Fund (CURF) to be prepared and responsive during moments when our community needs us most. Since its creation, the CURF has served as our fastest and most flexible tool to respond to community crises and natural disasters as they arise.

KZCF and United Way of South Central Michigan have activated our respective funds repeatedly over the years, continuing to
work collaboratively and lend our shared strengths in response to local disasters, including:

  • Alleviating the prolonged effects of the economic recession in 2008.
  • Responding to the Uber shooting in 2016.
  • Providing flood relief in 2018.
  • Dispersing personal protective equipment and other COVID-19 aid from 2020 to 2022.
  • Offering support in the wake of the May 7, 2024 tornadoes.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, KZCF has been able to remain a trusted resource for our nonprofit partners who rely upon critical funding support when disasters strike.

Funding at a Glance

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Amount Varies
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One-Time Award
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Application Opens

As Needed

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Application Deadline

Reviews Weekly

Grant Details

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Eligibililty Criteria

Current CURF 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 (i.e. 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 a first or preferred language).

Get relief funds flowing — fast!

CURF and DRF funds (through Kalamazoo Community Foundation and United Way of Southwest Michigan respectively) are intended to complement resources available from FEMA, state and local governmental agencies, and private insurance.

Reviews Happen Weekly

Grantmaking decision are made weekly by a review team
composed of United Way of South Central Michigan and KZCF staff members and volunteers.

Payment Sent — Relief Is on the Way!

If a grant is awarded, you will be notified and provided with a grant acceptance document. Once returned, the grant payment will be sent directly to your organization.

    Tornado Relief Expenditures

    In response to the May 7 tornado in Kalamazoo County, United Way of South Central Michigan and Kalamazoo Community Foundation activated their Disaster Relief and Community Urgent Relief funds, respectively. Grantmaking decisions were made weekly by review teams composed of UWSCMI and KZCF staff members and volunteers.

      Total Dispersed

      Total Raised

      Grant Focus Areas

      • Financial assistance to households with loss of property or income | $224,485
      • Temporary housing assistance | $100,000
      • Repair or replacement of critical necessities | $236,500
      • Case management or volunteer management | $27,706
      • Critical home repairs | $167,950
      • Long-term disaster case management | $100,000

      Agencies Funded

      • After the Storm
      • American Red Cross of Southwest Michigan
      • Community Homeworks
      • Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan
      • Gryphon Place
      • Helping Other People Exceed Through Navigation
      • Housing Resources, Inc.
      • Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries
      • Portage Community Center
      • South County Community Services

      Grant Resources at the Ready

      Sustaining BIPOC Leadership: Prioritizing Rest & Restoration

      Sustaining BIPOC Leadership: Prioritizing Rest & Restoration

      Our shared humanity calls us to build a community where every person can be whole. Those who do the work of initiating change need space and support for their own healing and rejuvenation. Time with family, exercise, travel and rest are all necessary for a well-balanced life. By engaging in acts of restoration, our community leaders can be at their best when supporting community members.

      read more

      Give Now to Help Us Keep

      Rainy Day Funds at the Ready!

      None of us can predict when the next disaster will strike, but a contribution to the CURF today will make sure funds are here when folks need them.