The United for Waukesha Community Fund, launched in response to the Waukesha Christmas Parade attack on November 21, is committed to transparency as we seek to help donors support the victims of this terrible tragedy.
The fund has raised more than $5.7 million from more than 15,000 donors from every state in the United States and 17 other countries. 100% of all individual donations are being distributed directly to individuals and families impacted.
Information regarding the eligibility of all applicants is clearly laid out in the protocols and Uniform Claim Form.
Nearly $1 million has already been sent in initial disbursements to the families of the six people killed, to those hospitalized, and to those treated as outpatients.
A recent news story on Fox 6 has criticized the eligibility of nonprofit organizations to apply to the fund. A very generous foundation donor offered to have a portion of their gift used to support local agencies providing mental health services to victims, knowing that the demand for their services would exceed their normal capacity. This is a small portion of the fund (less than 5%).
The deadline for claim forms is Monday, February 28. We are focused on encouraging all eligible victims to apply. We know there are many in our community struggling with physical and mental trauma due to this catastrophic event. We are grateful to those media partners who are helping us get out the message to all victims.
Once all claims have been received, recommendations regarding the disbursements of the balance of the fund will be made by the committee, a group of community volunteer leaders who have been meeting since early December in regard to the fund.
The Waukesha County Community Foundation is administering the United for Waukesha Community Fund for no fee. It is part of our commitment to our community we have faithfully served since 1999 United Way is our partner in this effort and has received no funding nor fees from the United for Waukesha Community Fund.
