Special to The Leader

BEAUMONT, Texas – The Foundation for Southeast Texas released applications Wednesday for funding to assist established relief organizations through the Golden Pass Hurricane Harvey Recovery Fund. Nonprofits and government organizations in Orange, Jefferson and Hardin Counties are encouraged to apply for funding to support hurricane recovery and mitigation efforts.
Projects providing support in disaster mitigation infrastructure, school materials reimbursement, first responder disaster assistance (including non-official responders), hurricane damaged housing rehabilitation and public employee disaster assistance will be the emphasis for funding. Priority will be given to projects directly benefitting Port Arthur and Sabine Pass.
“We are so excited to begin this process and help Southeast Texas recover from Harvey’s devastating flooding. We look forward to seeing the projects that apply and we hope that together, we can make sure the community comes back stronger,” Mellie Bevilacqua, executive director of the Foundation for Southeast Texas, said.
Applications will be considered for first of three funding cycles administered by the Foundation for Southeast Texas from the $1.5 million Hurricane Harvey Recovery Fund established by Golden Pass Products shortly after the storm. Funding requests will be reviewed by the foundation and advised by representatives from Jefferson County, the City of Port Arthur, and Golden Pass. The foundation expects to announce funding awards in early December. The two remaining funding cycles will open to applications in the spring and late summer of 2018.
“We’ve been part of this community for a long time and we will be here for many more years. We’re doing what we can to help support the recovery process,” Robert Bilnoski, Golden Pass LNG Vice President of Human Resources and Public Affairs said. “This fund will help identify and support efforts that will improve our community and the lives of those affected by the storm.”
To view the guidelines and application, visit The Foundation for SETX online. Applicants should mail completed applications to the Foundation for Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 3092, Beaumont, TX 77704 or deliver to the foundation’s office at 700 North St, Suite C 15, Beaumont by November 20.