Resolution 2020-079 RESOLUTION NO.2020- 79
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER
COUNTY, FLORIDA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION OF COLLIER COUNTY(COMMUNITY FOUNDATION)SERVE AS
A CENTRAL SITE FOR THE RECEIPT AND DISTRIBUTION OF FINANCIAL
DONATIONS DURING TIMES OF LOCAL CRISIS OR DISASTER.
WHEREAS:the Community Foundation of Collier County is an established tax-exempt,accredited
public charitable fund established in 1985. The Community Foundation has strict and transparent financial
reporting requirements and offers all the services discussed herein without charge; and,
WHEREAS: the Collier County Division of Emergency Management,the Collier County Sheriff's
Office, and the cities of Naples, Marco Island and Everglades City continue efforts to plan and prepare for
local emergencies, disasters, line-of-duty deaths, and crises such as acts of mass violence; and,
WHEREAS: the proliferation of mass shootings such as at the Orlando Pulse Night Club, Sandy
Hook Elementary and Stoneman Douglas High School reminds us that no community is immune from such
senseless acts of mass violence and casualties; and,
WHEREAS: the Community Foundation and the Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services
and its Division of Emergency Management are developing contingency plans in coordination with the
National Compassion Fund to place resources, plans, policies and procedures in place to help the victims,
survivors and families of acts of mass violence with both immediate and long-term assistance; and,
WHEREAS: the Collier County community cares about its neighbors and has repeatedly
demonstrated its generosity with local giving to those in need, most notably through the Collier County
United Way and its local participating agencies; and,
WHEREAS: the City of Orlando and the National Compassion Fund have contributed toward a
model plan of best practices to encourage communities to have a pre-identified central donation sites,
established protocols for community disasters, and individual victim assistance for acts of mass violence
events; and,
WHEREAS: the Community Foundation of Collier County will provide full transparency to the
donor, full tax donation credit, and substantially reduce the chance of generous and compassionate
donations going to fraudulent donation sites,which continue to be discovered in mass across this nation; and,
WHEREAS: the receipt, accountability and disbursement of local disaster or mass violence
assistance funds received from the community and nation can he more expeditiously administered by a
professional,accredited, non-profit philanthropic group than by local government entities; and,
WHEREAS: the Community Foundation and United Way within hours following Hurricane Irma
implemented the Collier Comes Together Fund® to receive donations and disperse funds and emergency
provisions to numerous local agencies and individuals for immediate unmet needs. The Community
Foundation continues to make such donations to agencies for long-term recovery efforts; and,
WHEREAS: the Community Foundation established a web presence and business processes to
immediately receive donations during acts of mass violence, natural or technological disasters, and Iine-
of- duty deaths at a secure website 24 hours a day 365 days a year; and,
WHEREAS: the Community Foundation and Collier County Emergency Management will
continue to work closely with local law enforcement, local and state victim assistance programs, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement under established rules
and protocols to ensure that community funds received following an act of mass violence are tracked and
processed by the National Compassion Fund or its nationally recognized contractors that have well-
established records, requisite business processes, and proper legal oversight for dispersing funds to
victims, survivors, and families with a fair and timely claims process as was illustrated by the
OneOrlando®effort; and,
WHEREAS: the Collier County Board of County Commissioners applauds the efforts of local
law enforcement,emergency management, United Way and the Community Foundation for taking steps
to help survivors of disasters public safety responders' families in the event of a line-of-duty death, and
those impacted by acts of mass violence and natural disaster;and,
WHEREAS: the Community Foundation of Collier County, Collier County Division of Emergency
Management,with state and local law enforcement,fire service,Emergency Medical Services,United Way,
the Center for Victims Assistance, National Compassion Fund, and local county and municipal
representatives and community leaders will meet annually to report on the status of the fund and make
available annual reports as needed.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that during times of crisis as
described herein the Community Foundation of Collier County shall be a portal for financial contributions
and encourages the City of Marco Island,City of Naples and City of Everglades City to join in this unified
effort.
THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED this Ma411 1 day of 2020 after motion, second and majority vote
favoring adoption.
k"I'TEST: BOARD OF C UNTY COMMISSIONERS
"CRYSTAL K. KJNZE ,, CLERK OF COLLIE OUNTY, F ,ORI
CZeoilsual
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By: 1; :. �-� /' By:
Attest as to Ghairmari's Dep ty le'` Burt L. Saunders,Chairman
signature only.
Approved as to form and legality:
Jennifer A. Belpedio
Assistant County Attorne
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