UA Greek Relief Raises $180k and Makes Grant Applications Available

greek relief fundUA Greek Relief, which has raised $180,000 for the Tuscaloosa relief effort, has made its tornado relief grant applications available to non-profit organizations on its website, www.uagreekrelief.com. Certain restrictions apply to ensure that the grants will be used within the Tuscaloosa Community and to ensure that all monies are spent in the most efficient and impactful ways.

Following the devastating storms of April 27, 2011, students of The University of Alabama founded UA Greek Relief, a grassroots, student-lead relief effort responsible for preparing over 52,000 hot meals, for distributing hundreds of thousands of pounds of canned goods, clothes, and hygiene products, and for raising $180,000 in donations.

From April 29th to May 6th, UA Greek Relief registered over 600 volunteers ranging from college students (both Greek and non-Greek), University of Alabama alumni, Tuscaloosa citizens, and volunteers from across the country. Following UA Greek Relief’s week-long effort to prepare hot meals and distribute relief items for the Tuscaloosa Community, the organization shifted its primary focus to disaster relief fundraising. To manage the funds, the organization formed a Board of Trustees with representation from the city of Tuscaloosa City Council, The University of Alabama, UA alumni, and UA student leaders.

“Thanks to the tireless work of the hundreds of UA Greek Relief volunteers, we were able to make a significant impact in the relief efforts taking place in Tuscaloosa the week following the storm,” said James Fowler, Co-Chairman of the UA Greek Relief Board of Trustees. He added, “Our efforts have shifted to fundraising, and to date, thanks to the generous donations from donors across the country, UA Greek Relief has raised over $150,000.”

Patrick Morris, Co-Chairman of the UA Greek Relief Board of Trustees, said, “Our Board of Trustees is working closely with the city of Tuscaloosa to ensure our funds are going to areas in Tuscaloosa that are in the most need. We’ve guaranteed all of our donors that every penny of their donation will stay in Tuscaloosa.”

“UA Greek Relief will continue to fundraise through the remainder of the calendar year. All donations are tax deductable, and every dollar donated will be used to rebuild Tuscaloosa,” said Angus Cooper III, Treasurer of the UA Greek Relief Board of Trustees. He added, “Donating is as simple as visiting our website, www.uagreekrelief.com, and clicking the donation tab.”

Meg McCrummen, UA Greek Relief Board of Trustee said, “The monetary donations to UA Greek Relief are just another example of how our community has come together during this time of great need. These generous donations are being used to provide desperately needed relief resources and to rebuild our beloved community.”

  1. An organization that has been given a Federal Tax ID number and a 501(c)3 determination letter from the IRS stating that it is a charitable organization and is not a private foundation.
  2. An organization that has a board of directors and annual financial audits performed by a certified public accountant.
  3. An organization that commits to utilize the grant allocations to provide for basic human services and recovery efforts in the Tuscaloosa community and surrounding areas necessitated by the tornados of April 2011. Funds shall not be used for any purposes outside the boundaries of Tuscaloosa County.
  4. An organization that has an established process for reviewing the needs of clients to ensure that funds and services are appropriately distributed.
  5. An organization that demonstrates the expertise and experience necessary to provide the assistance and services included in the grant request
  6. An organization that operates under sound financial principles.

Grants shall NOT:

  • Be made to individuals or on behalf of a specific individual
  • Be made to a specific business entity
  • Be made to non-U.S. organizations in foreign countries (grants can be made to U.S organizations that operate in foreign countries, provided that these organizations are qualified charitable organizations)
  • Be used to pay membership dues, tickets to a fundraising event, or fees for any such purposes
  • Be used to fulfill pledges or pre-existing obligations
  • Be used to provide benefits to fund advisors or their families in receiving goods or services from a charity in return for a grant.
  • Be used for normal operating expenses unrelated to storm relief efforts
  • Be used to cover program expenses that occur on a regular basis (e.g. annual workshop series, regularly needed medical equipment or patient care unrelated to the storm relief efforts)
  • Be used to cover regularly supported activities of fundraising organizations
  • Be used by any organization to duplicate reimbursements or payments received from other entities for the services included in the grant request

Additional information regarding UA Greek Relief can be found at www.uagreekrelief.com or by contacting James Fowler, UA Greek Relief Co-Chairman, at jamesclevelandfowler@gmail.com or (256) 682-7072 (cell).