This past February, during one of the wettest winters in California on record, thousands of residents in San Jose were forced to evacuate their homes due to extreme flooding. The event also caused significant damage to public and private property.

In response to the flooding, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) and the City of San Jose set up the San Jose Flood Victims Relief Fund to collect contributions directed toward relief efforts for the flood victims. With a $75,000 grant, the Heising-Simons Foundation joined many other organizations and individuals in contributing to the fund, which aims to support the greatest immediate needs of the victims—including food, shelter, and health care costs.

The fund supports four primary nonprofit organizations working on the ground to provide emergency assistance to the flood victims: American Red Cross, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, Sacred Heart Community Service, and The Salvation Army. SVCF and the City of San Jose will also use funds for long-term rebuilding efforts.