The First Coast Relief Fund was established in October 2016 in response to the local devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew. Five of the area’s leading philanthropic organizations joined together to create the Relief Fund: The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, United Way of Northeast Florida and United Way of St. Johns County.

Since its inception, the Relief Fund has distributed almost $9 million through 251 grants to more than 128 unique organizations in its six-county service area, including Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties. Strengthened by its partners, the Relief Fund still endures – collecting and distributing funds during times of crisis, then closing once the community transitions to long-term recovery solutions so it’s ready to provide critical aid when needed again.