Urgent: Nonprofits Can Apply For Disaster Aid
Agencies serving the general public could be eligible
Release Date: October 25, 2004
Release Number: 1558-072
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides
CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- Officials of nonprofit corporations affected by Hurricane Ivan floods may not be aware they could be eligible for federal disaster assistance if their agencies provided essential services or suffered physical storm damage during the period September 16-27.
For nonprofit agencies serving the general public, aid is available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) and the state of West Virginia’s Public Assistance Program.
"We are concerned nonprofits that suffered storm losses may not be applying for aid for which they may be entitled," said Lou Botta, federal coordinating officer. "They should call FEMA and let us sort that out.
"Please contact us as soon as possible," Botta added. "Time is often of the essence."
FEMA’s Public Assistance telephone number in Charleston is 304-348-3799.
To qualify for disaster aid, a nonprofit applicant must:
- Be based in one of West Virginia’s 22 presidentially declared counties for Public Assistance disaster aid. They are Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Pleasants, Tyler, Wetzel, Wirt, Berkeley, Cabel, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Morgan, Wood, Mingo, Wayne, Clay, Logan, Putnam and Boone.
- Have provided services to the general public on a nonsectarian basis.
- Have a letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service granting tax exemption under Section 501(c), (d) or (e) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Have a state certification that the organization is a nonprofit organization under state law.
- Have a tax-exempt number.
Examples of private nonprofit organizations include educational facilities, medical, rehabilitation and custodial care facilities, homeless shelters and food banks, senior citizen centers and sheltered workshops.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Monday, 25-Oct-2004 10:23:23