The devastation of Hurricane Harvey is a heartbreaking reminder that disaster can hit us at any time. Communities have been destroyed, and tens of thousands of people are facing tremendous hardship.
This disaster is personal to everyone who has roots in Texas. Both of us were born and raised in Texas, and the street Michael grew up on in Houston is under water now.
For over 18 years, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has been committed to helping children and families in Texas. This unprecedented disaster requires an unprecedented response. Today, Susan and I joined Governor Abbott to announce the launch of the Rebuild Texas Fund, with the goal of raising over $100 million in charitable donations for longer term recovery and rebuilding of our communities, in addition to helping with immediate relief efforts.
This fund is about Texas. It’s about people helping people. It’s about companies helping their communities. We are energized by the opportunity to work together with partners and people across the state to help our coastal neighbors and accelerate the rebuilding of their communities.
We are committing $36M to this important work, by giving half this amount to launch the fund, and by starting a matching campaign that will kick off today and continue through midnight on Monday, September 4. During the campaign, we will match $1 for every $2 you donate.
We are energized by the opportunity to work together with partners and people across the state to help our coastal neighbors and accelerate the rebuilding of their communities.
Here in Texas, we have a massive rebuilding effort ahead of us. The Rebuild Texas Fund will work with community partners in affected regions with early focus on four areas: health and housing; schools and child care; workforce and transportation; and capital for rebuilding small businesses.
It will take everyone working together to surpass the $100 million goal. We would love everyone to join us in this effort by texting 91999 with the words “RebuildTX” to donate. Visit www.rebuildtx.org to learn more about the Rebuild Texas Fund.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to come together. Please join us. Together we can make a meaningful difference.
-Michael & Susan Dell