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In times of crisis, it can be difficult to know how best to help or where to give. It’s often the organizations and people embedded in the community that know where relief is needed most, and how best to deliver it. That’s why we’re launching an online giving platform – www.clevelandfoundation.org/puertorico – that will help Greater Clevelanders give to the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico), an organization founded in 1985 to support the well-being of residents on the island.

Our community has strong ties to Puerto Rico. Of the Hispanic population in the Cleveland Metropolitan area, which the U.S. Census estimates at nearly 107,000, more than half trace their roots to Puerto Rico. In solidarity with our local Hispanic community, we encourage Greater Clevelanders to show their support for Puerto Rico by giving in this time of great need.

Between now and Nov. 30, Greater Clevelanders can visit www.clevelandfoundation.org/puertorico to give online. All donations will be transferred directly to the Puerto Rico Community Foundation and specifically designated for use on the ground for hurricane relief efforts in the hardest hit areas throughout Puerto Rico.

Local organizations leading the effort

To jumpstart the local giving drive, we’re granting $50,000 to the cause. “This is what community foundations are all about – helping people in their time of greatest need,” said Ronn Richard, president and CEO, Cleveland Foundation. “We are honored to support the Puerto Rico Community Foundation in its efforts to provide urgent assistance to our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico and to help them rebuild and thrive again.”

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland has also announced a $25,000 grant to supplement this initial contribution for Puerto Rico recovery efforts. “The Jewish community understands the urgency of a community in crisis,” said Stephen H. Hoffman, president, Jewish Federation of Cleveland.  “It is a privilege to be able to join with the Cleveland Foundation and our fellow Clevelanders in support of Puerto Rican recovery efforts.”

Additionally, KeyBank Foundation announced a $25,000 grant to increase the community’s support for Puerto Rico. “Our hearts go out to the many affected by Hurricane Maria and the damage it left behind,” said Margot Copeland, Chair and CEO of KeyBank Foundation. “We stand with the Cleveland Latino community and ask all Clevelanders to join us in providing much-needed support for relief efforts in Puerto Rico.”

Finally, the Hispanic Business Center of the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center and the Hispanic Alliance will be hosting a telethon with WEWS-TV Channel 5 to raise funds for hurricane relief and recovery efforts. “The local Latino community throughout Northeast Ohio has created a collective known as Cleveland for Puerto Rico Relief Efforts in order to respond to the short- and long-term needs of the island,” said Jenice Contreras, executive director of the Hispanic Business Center. “This collective includes faith-based, nonprofit, corporate, public and private entities joining for these humanitarian efforts.” For more information on Cleveland for Puerto Rico Relief Efforts, including upcoming events, resources and the latest news, please visit www.CLE4PR.org.

We hope you will join us in contributing to provide much-needed disaster relief in Puerto Rico. Learn more and give now via www.clevelandfoundation.org/puertorico.