Photo credit: James B. Nelson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
July 27, 2026
100% of donations to the Community Response Fund go directly to tornado relief and recovery efforts. Your gift is distributed through grants to trusted local nonprofits and community organizations providing direct support to individuals and families affected by the tornadoes.
Your generosity is helping provide financial assistance, food, safe shelter and housing, cleanup, health and well-being, and other critical recovery needs.
WAYS TO HELP
Support Local Recovery
When disaster strikes, recovery starts with community.
In the aftermath of these devastating storms, we see neighbors looking for ways to help. The Community Response Fund provides a coordinated way to turn your generosity into meaningful support.
100% of donations go directly to tornado relief and recovery efforts. Your gift stays local, helping people in Menasha, Neenah, Fox Crossing, Appleton, and other affected communities recover and rebuild after the storm. Donations will support local organizations responding to immediate needs while also providing longer-term recovery assistance.
This fund is a partnership between United Way Fox Cities, the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, ensuring resources are directed where they’re needed most.
Your tax-deductible donation to the Community Response Fund will be distributed through local nonprofits, churches, and other community organizations providing relief, short-term response, and long-term recovery. Funding will help address housing and shelter, food, health and well-being, and financial assistance.
While the damage is significant, so is the strength of this community.
IF YOU NEED HELP
- Call 211 TO:
• Report damage to your home or property
• Get connected to reception center locations
• Find local resources and support as conditions develop
211 is available 24/7. A real person will help guide you to the information and services you need. Please help spread the word, so others know where to turn.
To Donate by Check
Please make payable to United Way Fox Cities and write “Community Response Fund – Tornado” in the memo line.
Mail to
United Way Fox Cities
1455 Midway Road
Menasha, WI 54952
Grant applications and funding distribution efforts are being coordinated by United Way Fox Cities, the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation.
Eligible organizations may apply through a brief online form. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and organizations are welcome to reapply as recovery needs evolve.
Q & A
Does 100% of my donation go to tornado relief and recovery?
Yes. 100% of donations to the Community Response Fund go directly to tornado relief and recovery efforts. United Way Fox Cities does not retain any portion of these donations for administrative or operational expenses. Your gift is distributed through grants to trusted local nonprofits and community organizations providing support to individuals and families affected by the tornadoes.
Where can I see how funds are being distributed?
We are committed to transparency and will regularly update the grants awarded through the Tornado Recovery Effort. View grants awarded and see how your support is making an impact.
How does my donation reach people affected by the tornadoes?
We’re committed to making sure donations are directed to people and families who need them most. Organizations receiving disaster recovery funding typically establish clear eligibility criteria to help guide these decisions. Factors may include where someone lived, the extent of damage to their home, the financial impact of the tornado, household circumstances, and whether other assistance or insurance has helped meet their needs. Special consideration may also be given to households facing greater barriers to recovery, including seniors, people with disabilities, families with children, and those who are uninsured or underinsured. This thoughtful process helps ensure that community generosity reaches people who need it most and helps fill gaps that other resources may not cover.
What does my gift help provide?
Your generosity is helping local organizations provide these critical recovery needs.
- Financial assistance
- Food
- Safe shelter and housing
- Home and property repairs
- Cleanup support
- Health and well-being services
How are funding decisions made?
Donations to the Tornado Recovery Effort are pooled in the Community Response Fund. Together, the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, United Way Fox Cities, and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation work to identify local needs and direct grants to trusted nonprofit and community organizations providing support to individuals and families affected by the tornadoes. Grant decisions are informed by an advisory process involving staff from the three organizations and input from the Long-Term Recovery Group.
Why are funds awarded through grants to local organizations?
The Community Response Fund works through trusted local organizations that already have relationships, expertise, and systems in place to help people affected by the tornadoes. This allows community support to be quickly coordinated and directed where it is needed most.
I need help. How can I find resources and assistance?
If you or someone you know has been affected by the tornadoes and needs help, 211 remains the best place to start. Call 211 to connect with local resources and services that may be able to help with housing, food, financial assistance, cleanup, health and well-being, and other recovery needs.
An unmet need today does not mean an unmet need tomorrow. We know how discouraging it must be when you are already navigating so much and don’t get the answer you were hoping for. Please know that people across our community are listening, tracking unmet needs, and working together to connect resources where they are needed most.
