All funds received will be distributed under the auspices of the UUA’s Southwest and Mid-South Districts and will be used entirely for hurricane relief. As the full scope of this disaster has become clear, we have significantly expanded our fundraising efforts. This expanded effort requires us to charge a very minimal administrative fee to cover the expenses incurred. We are committed to keeping overhead as low as possible; therefore, the fund will deliver a minimum of 95 cents out of every dollar in direct services. Please be assured that all funds received before we expanded our fundraising on September 3 will not be subject to an administrative fee.The two districts will establish a panel to distribute funds to local relief efforts and to UU congregations so that their ministries in their communities can be restored. If you wish, you may designate your gift to be applied exclusively to community relief efforts. I urge you to be as generous as possible in support of our faith community.

Thanks — I saw that but hadn’t posted it. Scott

I’m not keen on giving to the UUA fund if it is a flow-through to ministerial discretionary funds, even though I trust ministers to spend the money wisely. I want to give to an identified need, particularly to churches hurt past their ability to restore their loss. Consider the Partner Church Council. If the end recipient is personal — the normal end of the discretionary fund — I’d rather give to a non-sectarian organization, even over our own.

That said, I’ll wait for a formal word about the current fund before expressing futher opinions on the matter.

I am completely frustrated by the non-response of our government to this major disaster in our country. Those of us who live far away can only donate I guess. Is there anything else we can do?
–Kim

…. but to vent here, was everyone upset by the UUA website suggesting that
“.Your donation to the UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund qualifies as a tax deductible charitable gift. Please consult your financial and tax advisors regarding your particular circumstances. ”

I hope i am being too sensitive here, but I will state that I have given, will give, and I , for one, cant get a tax break for it, but gave because it is the right thing to do…..

Helping with physical damage to churches was done by young men with construction skills. One church that completely lost its building received some very helpful grants from the UUA.

We have four or five hundred homeless UUs from the impacted area. The scale is beyond this fund’s capacity, to help we will need to provide direct hospitality. Adopt a church!

There were no overhead costs with the UUA funds in the previous disasters, I see no reason to assume that this will be a problem in this one. Our Gulf Coast congregations are mobilizing to give help.