Cedar Rapids Community Foundation closes books on Flood Fund

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation is closing the books on its Flood Fund.

"It's great evidence of the generosity of the community," foundation president Les Garner told Linn County supervisors this morning. "It goes to the strength of our community (and is) strong evidence of the strength of the non-profit sector. They were quick to recover and quick to make contact with their constituents and lend them a helping hand."

Garner delivered a similar report Tuesday to the Cedar Rapids City Council on the fund.

Announced even as the Cedar River receded from its June 13, 2008 crest, the Flood Fund raised $5.7 million from 2,200 donors in 43 states and four foreign countries.

Designed to directly assist flood-affected nonprofits, the fund contributed toward the 1,798 home rehabilitation projects, including 254 homes rebuilt by the Block by Block program and 643 through the Linn Area Long Term Recovery Coalition. Those numbers may include some duplication when both programs worked on a single home.

Grants worth $140,000 helped 47 Palo families return home.

About $917,000 bought overnight lodging, meals and food vouchers, transportation assistance, and other immediate needs for more than 1,000 people.

The foundation will post the report on its

web site Friday, as hard copies are mailed to donors, Garner said.