Americas for Conservation + Arts in partnership with FURIA (Firmes Unidos y Resilientes en la Abogacía, Inc.), and Accion Social, have launched the Puerto Rico Earthquake Resilience Fund (PRERF).
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On Tuesday, January 7, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck Puerto Rico. This was the largest in a series of quakes that have struck the island in recent days. Experts predict aftershocks will continue for some time.
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Just after two years since Hurricane Maria devastated the island, Puerto Ricans are now struggling with the effects of another natural disaster. This crisis exposes the growing challenges Puerto Rico faces. There is an island-wide power outage and federal aid will take a long time to get to the island. Actually, the aid approved by the US Congress after Hurricane Maria has still not reached those who need it the most. Nevertheless, many in the non-profit workspace are quickly mobilizing to meet urgent needs. And just as with our response efforts to the 2017 Hurricane Maria and Mexico’s earthquake, our work begins within 24 hours after the initial January 7th disaster losses and will continue for at least 24 weeks to accompany and support the recovery process.
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Solidarity, compassion, and giving are all part of our identity as Latinos, and as Americans. We unite in times of tragedy, we thrive in challenging times, and we give in times of need. Our brothers and sisters, our families in Puerto Rico need our support now more than ever.
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You can make a one-time donation but we highly encourage weekly donations.​
Your gift to the PR Earthquake Resilience Fund will go to help families and communities recover from the recent earthquakes that have devastated the lives of many in this island that is still recovering from hurricanes’ related devastation. Our goal is to help those who were affected to rebuild and restore their homes, communities, environment, and lives.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Puerto Rico Earthquake Resilience Fund?
The Puerto Rico Earthquake Resilience Fund will help communities affected by the recent natural disaster in Puerto Rico. With your support, we will help rebuild the homes and lives of these communities for at least the next 24 weeks.
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Individual donations given to the Fund will be distributed to the grassroots community-based organizations AFC+A has been supporting for the last 2 ½ years as well as to the 12 projects AFC+A has launched and powered since Hurricane Maria under the Puerto Rico Resilience Project,
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The fund will focus on immediate, mid- and long-term recovery.
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Why have we established this fund?
As a Latino community, we come together as a family in times of disaster and crisis. The fund is established to answer the call of need and uphold this solidarity as brothers and sisters to Puerto Rico.
Our goal is to support community rebuilding and recovery after the immediate relief efforts. The fund would lay the groundwork for at least 24 weeks of the long-term recovery, which is expected to take several years. The fund plans to also offer short-term assistance while concentrating on long-term recovery.
How will the fund’s money be distributed?
All of the money of the Fund --except for a modest 15-20% allocated to administration operating costs- will be distributed to provide relief in the regions affected by natural disasters in Puerto Rico.
We will be working in the affected areas to determine the best distribution plan.
What about credit card processing fees?
The credit card processing fees are the fees charged by PayPal for charities.
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PayPal offers discounted transaction rates for 501(c)(3) charities for most products and consistently low rates for all other nonprofits. No extra fees for setup, statements, withdrawals, or cancellation.
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2.2% + $0.30 per transaction and no monthly fee for charities.
How will AFC+A be accountable for the fund?
AFC+A will be responsible to report the total amount of money raised and updated on a regular basis. Distributions will also be tracked on this website. All grants and individual donations for the Puerto Rico Resilience Fund above $1,000.00 will be accounted for in a 15-20 percent fund administration fee to assure the long term professional management of the Funds' related programs housed at AFC+A.
What is the "PR 24 Month Earthquake Resilience Fund"?
This is a dedicated fund to power the restoration and the establishment of local sustainable food, energy, and water recollection systems, incubate authentic civic engagement through mobilization of green brigades ‘promotes Verdes’ (small leadership groups mobilized for overall education of communities and grassroots leadership on sustainable rebuilding practices and rapid response skills); mobilize Promotores Verdes as future stewards of rapid response brigades and the envisioning of restoration efforts past 24 months; chronicle and document the relief and rebuild efforts to use as a model of resilient communities’ ability to rebuild in the face of natural disasters.
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For more information please visit the PR Earthquake Resilience Fund
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How can I send a donation check or wire transfer?
Checks can be made payable to Americas for Conservation and the Arts and the designation "PR 24 Month Earthquake Resilience Fund" should be included on the memo line.
Mail checks payable to:
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Americas for Conservation and the Arts
Wire to:
Banco Popular
Routing: 021502011
Account: 077649680
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Checks
Send it to:
AFC+A USA
430 West 9th Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80204
AFC+A Puerto Rico
Calle Santo Domingo #4
Yauco, Puerto Rico 00698
Questions about the donation process?
For any other questions related to the donation process, our online form, or method of payment, please contact:
Jonathan Cintron
AFC+A Puerto Rico Director
cintron@americasforconservation.org.
Irene Vilar
AFC+A Founder and CEO
irene@americasforconservation.org
Thanks for your generosity.
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