Tragedy strikes in many ways, from oil spills and floods to earthquakes and violence. In every case, community foundations respond to assist donors in reaching out to people in need.
Oil spill along the Gulf Coast
Community Foundations in Alabama, Florida and Louisiana are offering assistance to first-responders as well as long-term relief for wildlife and communities affected by the spring 2010 oil rig disaster. You can find out more from the Community Foundation of South Alabama in Mobile, the Greater New Orleans Foundation and, in the Pensacola area,  the Greater Escambia Community Foundation in Florida and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation in Louisiana.

Tennessee flooding
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee responded to widespread flooding in the spring of 2010 by activating its Metro Nashville Disaster Response Fund and Tennessee Emergency Response Fund. CFMT is an official partner with the Nashville Mayor's Office of Emergency Management.

Flight 93 Memorial Fund:
Donors who wish to remember the heroism of passengers on United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, can do so through the Hearts of Steel Fund at the Pittsburgh Foundation. The goal is to construct a memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.Earthquake in Haiti
Many organizations responded to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Click on the names listed below for more details on current efforts.
American Red Cross
CARE
Catholic Relief Services
Partners In Health
Salvation Army
United Nations Central Emergency Relief Fund

Disaster relief in Alabama
Our Emergency Response Fund (listed among on-line options) remains the best way to make sure your Community Foundation can respond quickly to support local agencies responding to local diasters. You can give on line by clicking the Donate Now button or send a check to 2100 First Avenue North, Birmingham 35203, attention Kathryn Corey.

Twin Cities, Minnesota:
In the wake of the collapse of the I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River, three community foundations and the area United Way worked together to assist people in making donations.  Contributions to the Minnesota Helps/Bridge Disaster Fund were pooled and allocated by the Minneapolis Foundation, Minnesota Community Foundation, St. Paul Foundation and Greater Twin Cities United Way to nonprofits providing support to those most affected by the tragedy.   100 percent of all donations through minnesotahelps.org are being redistributed without any administrative fee..

Greenburg, Kansas:
The South Central Community Foundation established the Greensburg Future Fund to rebuild this community in the wake of the May 2007 tornado. 100 percent of any contribution is used for the rebuilding and donors can designate gifts to one of three areas of concern: education, health care or community rebuilding. NOTE: The first donations to the Greensburg Future Fund were from two elementary-age children who contributed their allowance to help replace recess toys at the school.  

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation set up the Greensburg, Kansas, We All Care Fund. All donations go to agencies in Greensburg that are helping with tornado relief efforts

Virginia Tech:
Foundation for the New River Valley in Blacksburg set up the 4-16-07 Fund and convened nonprofit organizations in the area to consider the long-term impact on the community.  An anonymous donor to The Foundation for the Roanoke Valley  set up the School Violence Assistance Fund, which can accept additional donations.