The Community Foundation of the Virgin has served as a catalyst for initiatives promoting recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, as well as building forward in ways that enhance the well-being of residents of the US Virgin Islands. This project has a variety of goals centered around addressing continued needs in the long-term recovery process, including priority areas of environmental resilience and hazard mitigation; housing; and workforce development.
In the wake of devastation from two back-to-back Category 5 Hurricanes in September 2017, the challenges facing the U.S. Virgin Islands are complex and multifaceted. CFVI is committed to supporting a variety of projects to "build forward". The projects funded through the Island Spirit Fund will include environmental/marine recovery, community engagement/participation, workforce development, and housing.
CFVI has been identified as a trusted vehicle for receiving and distributing funds to support renewal across the Territory.We are supporting or exploring a number of programs and initiatives related to environmental rebuilding, the marine economy, workforce development, and housing repair/rebuild. CFVI is eager to build momentum around these categories, which connect to a range of different sectors and issues including public health, social equity, tourism, sustainability/resilience, and others.
The region's response in the face of a changing climate is imperative to long term recovery and future resilience. We must take action now to ensure environmental sustainability for current and future residents of the Virgin Islands. CFVI is uniquely positioned as the only Territory-wide community foundation, offering donors, funders, and other stakeholders: intimate community knowledge, a history of collaborative partnerships, leadership, reputation, and accountability.
This project has provided additional documentation in a DOCX file (projdoc.docx).
