FAQs

Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund
Frequently Asked Questions
April 8, 2010

Q. What is the Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund?
A. The Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund (RIFRF) was established to provide financial assistance to those affected by the storm. The Fund will be used to collect and distribute financial aid directly to those organizations that are helping people affected by the flood. (No donations will be distributed directly to individuals and families.)

Donations will be made to community-based organizations (such as community action agencies) that are helping individuals and families affected by the flood.

Q. How will the money be used?
A. Cash donations will be used for “unmet needs.” Unmet needs will be defined once it's determined that flood-related expenses will not be covered by other assistance such as private insurance and FEMA grants.

United Way considers unmet needs to be either immediate or longer term. Typically, resources have a tendency to decrease once the initial sense of urgency fades. (Now that the waters have receded, people are able to more accurately assess the extent of the damage.) The goal is to help ensure that resources keep pace with the need in our community—both short-term and long-term.

Q. How can I get money from the Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund?
A. RIFRF will not make money available directly to any individual or family. Please contact your local community organization (such as a community action agency), and they will assist you directly. Call United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island to find a community-based organization for your area.

Q. Can businesses receive money from the Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund?
A. No. However, a small business owner may receive support from the Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund for their personal, unmet needs.

Q. How can I make a donation to help people affected by the flood?

A. If you would like to contribute (by credit card or check) to the Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund, please go to www.liveunitedri.org. If you are donating by check, please make your donation payable to the “United Way of Rhode Island” and reference the “Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund” on the check. Donations can be sent to United Way of Rhode Island, 50 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02909.

Also, go to the state’s flood recovery Web site (www.floodrecovery.ri.gov), which is an information resource that will identify the ways donations of hard goods and volunteer hours can be made.

Q. How will the money be distributed?
A. A committee of community leaders will guide the distribution of money to the appropriate agencies. The Reverend Dr. Donald Anderson, Executive Minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, will chair this committee.

Q. How is UWRI administering the R.I. Flood Recovery Fund?
A. United Way of Rhode Island does not use any donor dollars for fundraising or administrative expenses such as compensation. In other words, all of the money donated is invested in the community to help people in need. United Way of Rhode Island is fortunate to be a beneficiary of the R.I. Charities Trust, which was established by Textron’s founder. The trust is managed by The Rhode Island Foundation.

All donations for the “Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund” will be kept in a separate account and won’t be commingled with other donations to United Way of Rhode Island.

Q. How will UWRI ensure the money is distributed as intended?
A. The community agencies that receive assistance will keep records of clients, their situation, how much money was given, and for what specific purpose. The information will be forwarded to UWRI on a regular basis. United Way of Rhode Island has worked with community agencies in this way for many years.

Q. Will I receive a record of my contribution?
A. Yes.

Q. Can I designate allocations from my United Way of Rhode Island Philanthropy Account to the Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund?
A. Yes. Please contact Sandy Smithson at (401) 444-0620 or at sandy.smithson@uwri.org for more information.