Disaster Recovery Fund

To Donate:
Mail Check to:

Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
1915 Grand Ave
Des Moines, Iowa 50309

In Memo note: Clay County Community Foundation Disaster Recovery Fund(DRF)

OR

CLICK to DONATE by Credit Card on the DONATE NOW button 

THANK YOU to all who have donated to the DIsaster Recovery Fund!

Donations(over $10,000)

Farmer's Trust and Savings Bank                      $100,000
Community State Bank                                         $75,000
The WalMart Foundation                                      $75,000
Sherwood Foundation                                          $50,000
CF Industries                                                        $25,000
Farm Credit Services                                            $25,000
Taylor Family Farms                                             $25,000
Steve Pearson Foundation                                   $10,000
DMSI                                                                     $10,000
Tyler Holck & Gayle Brown                                  $10,000
Gary & Jane Bahls                                                $10,000

In addition to these donoations over 300 individuals have generously donated to the Disaster Recovery Fund.
As of October 2024 over $525,000 has been donated!
Funds are continuing to be distributed to support flood efforts in Clay County each week.  
See the Grants tab for more information.
Thank you!




SPENCER, IA  (July 2, 2024) – The beloved community of Clay County has been hit by a catastrophic flood, the likes of which the region has never seen before. The flooding, determined by officials to be at a severity level between Hurricane Hugo and Hurricane Katrina, has left a trail of destruction in its wake. More than 2,500 homes have been damaged, and tragically, more than 1,000 homes are beyond repair. There has also been the tragic loss of one life due to flooded roads.

“As the heart of our community, the Clay County Community Foundation is stepping forward with a Disaster Recovery Fund to support the extensive clean-up and rebuilding efforts,” says Terri Batschelet, Director of the Clay County Community Foundation. “We urgently need your help to bring hope and restoration to our friends, families, and neighbors who have lost so much.”

The Impact:

Devastated Homes: More than 2,500 homes have been impacted, primarily in the town of Spencer, leaving families without a place to call home.

Irrecoverable Losses: More than 1,000 homes are irreparable, displacing countless residents.

Tragic Loss: The community mourns the loss of one individual whose life was taken by the floodwaters.

Clay County is more than just a place on a map. Spencer is the home to the cherished Clay County Fair, a symbol of our heritage and community spirit, and is a stop for many on the way to the Okoboji Lake resort area, a summer retreat that brings joy to countless families. These landmarks and the people who make them special are now facing unimaginable hardship.

“We are calling on all who hold Clay County and its neighboring communities dear to their hearts to join us in this crucial time of need,” says Batschelet. “We have activated the Clay County Community Foundation Disaster Recovery Fund, which directly supports and supplements the critical work of existing nonprofit, local, state and federal programs supporting the recovery and rebuilding effort.”

Your generous donation to the Clay County Community Foundation Disaster Recovery Fund will directly aid local organizations in:

• Providing emergency shelter and necessities to displaced families.
• Supporting clean-up efforts to restore homes and community spaces.
• Rebuilding homes and critical infrastructure to bring normalcy back to our communities.

Please visit this donation link to make your contribution to the Clay County Community Foundation Disaster Recovery Fund. No amount is too small, and every dollar brings the region one step closer to recovery. Together, we can rebuild and restore the heart and soul of our beloved communities.

“In times of despair, our strength lies in our unity and compassion,” says Batschelet. “Let us come together to support Clay County and its neighboring communities, ensuring a brighter future for all who live and visit this special region.”

For future updates visit desmoinesfoundation.org/disaster-recovery-funds-activated-across-the-region.

About Clay County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines   

The Clay County Community Foundation is committed to connecting donors who care with causes that matter, and to serve as a trusted resource for addressing issues that impact the quality of life in Clay County. The Clay County Community Foundation invests in area nonprofits through grant programs and by providing individuals, families and area businesses who love the community with a way to give back. Visit the Clay County Community Foundation website to learn more.  

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