The North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF) has re-activated its statewide Disaster Relief Fund to support relief efforts related to Hurricane Sandy, according to an announcement made today by Rod Martin, chair of the statewide grants committee and a member of the NCCF board.

Nonprofit programs serving storm victims’ needs in counties served by the NCCF are eligible for consideration. Credit card donations can be made online through the NCCF website via the “Give Now” button or under the “Giving” tab at nccommunityfoundation.org or by downloading a contribution form from the site and mailing or faxing it to NCCF offices. (The fax number is 919-828-5495. The form or checks can be mailed to NCCF at 4601 Six Forks Road, Suite 524, Raleigh, NC 27609). Please designate your gift for “Disaster Relief.” All gifts are tax-deductible.

All funds will go directly to nonprofit organizations serving the needs of local victims in counties served by the NCCF. Local affiliate foundations will determine the nonprofit agency/agencies that are the best and most efficient means to provide relief for victims of storms in their areas. No portion of the NCCF’s Disaster Relief Fund will be used for the Foundation’s administrative or operational expenses, which the Foundation is also encouraging among local recipient agencies.

“We remain concerned about our neighbors and friends who have suffered losses related to Hurricane Sandy,” said NCCF CEO Jennifer Tolle Whiteside. “Our network of affiliate foundations will ensure that any contributions we collect for the NCCF Disaster Relief Fund are effectively distributed to those nonprofit agencies that can serve the greatest needs in our partner communities,” she said.

NCCF awarded $152,000 in disaster relief last year to support needs related to April’s tornadoes and Hurricane Irene in August.

For more information visit nccommunityfoundation.org, contact the NCCF headquarters office in Raleigh at 800-201-9533 or email questions to info@nccommunityfoundation.org.

About the North Carolina Community Foundation:

The NCCF is the single statewide community foundation serving North Carolina and has made nearly $68 million in grants since its inception in 1988. With more than $156 million in assets, the NCCF sustains over 1,000 funds and endowments established to provide long-term support of a broad range of community needs, nonprofit organizations, institutions and scholarships. The NCCF partners with 60 affiliate foundations to provide local resource allocation and community assistance in 67 counties across the state. An important component of NCCF’s mission is to ensure that rural philanthropy has a voice at local, regional and national levels. For more information, visit nccommunityfoundation.org and Facebook and follow us on Twitter @NCCF.

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News media contacts:

Noël McLaughlin, Director of Marketing and Communications

919.256.6901

nmclaughlin@nccommunityfoundation.org

Sally Migliore, Director of Community Leadership

919.256.6911

smigliore@nccommunityfoundation.org