Public, private & community partners unite to support Indiana’s disaster response & recovery

When severe weather struck multiple Indiana counties in mid-August, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, businesses, government agencies, individuals, United Ways, community foundations and other philanthropic organizations responded quickly.

In fact, Lilly Endowment Inc. provided $1 million grants to both the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross to help meet immediate housing, medical, food, and other needs.

Now, a $25 million grant from Lilly Endowment to support the Indiana Natural Disaster (IND) Fund at Indiana United Ways (IUW) will help communities move from immediate response into the much longer work of recovery. Lilly Endowment provided funding for IUW to establish the IND Fund after the widespread flooding of 2008. Since its establishment, the IND Fund has responded to dozens of tornadoes, floods, and other disasters in Indiana by providing grants to affected counties for both immediate response and long-term recovery needs.

The IND Fund enables IUW’s member United Ways to access funding for qualifying emergencies and natural disasters. Immediately after a disaster, funds can help secure safe shelter, food, medicine and medical supplies, and essential transportation.

During long-term recovery, the IND Fund can fill gaps that remain after insurance, government assistance, donations, and other resources have been exhausted. Funding can also support case managers who are critical in helping survivors navigate disaster recovery systems and contribute to home repair and rebuilding.

“When disasters land on our doorsteps, the response has to be collaborative and coordinated,” IUW President and CEO Michael Budd said. “Every sector has a role in helping people get what they need immediately and in supporting recovery and rebuilding in the months and sometimes years that follow. I cannot say enough about the generosity of the organizations that have stepped up to help. Companies have contributed food, water, cleaning supplies, transportation vouchers, and housing among other things. In addition, Lilly Endowment continues to demonstrate its deep commitment to Indiana by supporting long-term recovery.”

Emergency housing support

A great example of these contributions is from Airbnb.org. IUW is partnering with Airbnb.org, a nonprofit founded by Airbnb to provide emergency housing in times of crisis, to offer free temporary housing to residents displaced by the Aug. 11 storms and flooding in Indiana. Airbnb.org is providing temporary housing to qualifying Hoosiers displaced by the storms who are referred to IUW through local United Ways, the American Red Cross, or the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. All stays are free for guests and are funded by Airbnb.org.

By working with Airbnb.org, IUW has access to a large network of Airbnb listings in and around the impacted areas. This partnership makes it easier to quickly connect people with free temporary housing while they start rebuilding their lives. The program is being provided in coordination with other available housing supports, so individuals and families can be referred to IUW when this option is best suited for their situation.

“The recovery process will be a long road for many families impacted by the recent storms and flooding,” Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) said. “I’m grateful to Lilly Endowment and Indiana United Ways for their continued commitment to helping Hoosiers recover and rebuild, and to partners like Airbnb.org that are stepping up to provide critical resources and support during this difficult time.”

IND Fund supports coordinated response

“In recent weeks, we have seen the Hoosier spirit in action through the generosity of countless individuals as portions of our state continue to recover from the unprecedented severe weather last month,” Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray said. “Lilly Endowment and Indiana United Ways have worked hard to ensure Hoosiers are taken care of in their time of need, and this support for the Indiana Natural Disaster Fund is an example of how great things can come through collaboration.”

The IND Fund’s review committee brings together disaster response and recovery experts from organizations including American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Indiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (Indiana VOAD), and Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Together, they share information from the community, county, state, and federal levels and make recommendations about assistance. Most recently, the committee voted to provide $1.2 million across four United Ways: Heart of Indiana United Way, United Way of Franklin & Ripley Counties, United Way of Whitewater Valley, and United Way of Northwest Indiana. Depending on local needs, these United Ways have already helped house people, provided food and charging stations, coordinated volunteers, and begun case management.

Those initial awards are only a starting point. Lilly Endowment’s $25 million contribution to the IND Fund will help Hoosiers recover and rebuild. As damage assessments and case management provide a clearer picture of long-term needs, local United Ways can request additional IND Fund support and work with other nonprofits and organizations to coordinate resources, identify and address needs that remain after other assistance has been exhausted, and connect people with resources.

The award from Lilly Endowment to IUW is also strengthening disaster response infrastructure: IUW has collaborated with vendor Visionlink to create a comprehensive case management portal – set to launch in the coming days. A volunteer management portal is also being developed.

“Indiana is very fortunate to have these funds from Lilly Endowment available through Indiana United Ways,” said Jane Crady, Coordinator of Catholic Charities Disaster Response and Chair of Indiana VOAD. “Without them many of our most vulnerable survivors would not be able to recover from these historic floods.”

“Recovery does not end when the debris is cleared or the immediate crisis has passed,” Budd added. “Our member United Ways will remain in these communities, working alongside partners from every sector. That coordination demonstrates the unique value United Ways bring to their communities. Support from Lilly Endowment enables us to stay with that work for as long as recovery takes while also helping Indiana be better prepared for widespread disasters in the future.”

Accessing immediate assistance

Those in need of immediate assistance should reach out to American Red Cross (1-800-REDCROSS) or call Indiana 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or texting IN211HELP to 898-211, the state’s health and human services helpline, to report disaster damages or report immediate needs. Indiana 211 can provide connections for shelter, transportation, food, and other disaster related resources.