United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) has collected and reinvested nearly $300,000 in donations to help residents and small businesses mitigate the financial impacts of this summer’s wildfires.
The Chisholm-based organization began fundraising July 14th and opened applications July 31st to small businesses and individuals located in Babbitt, Buyck, Cook, Crane Lake, Ely, Embarrass, Nett Lake, Orr, Soudan, Tower, Winton, and townships between any of the aforementioned communities.
Applicants were required to show proof of residence, proof of income loss, and proof that loss was directly caused by wildfires. Funding decisions were made with help from a panel of UWNEMN board members and Ely community members, all of whom signed confidentiality agreements.
“We are keenly aware that at this moment, our fund is the only financial resource available to a community under significant stress, so our team has been working diligently to balance speed and due diligence to ensure these critically needed funds get to those who need them most in a timely and equitable way,” said UWNEMN Executive Director Erin Shay. “Caring for the community while being responsible with donor dollars is of the utmost importance.”
Household funding has been applied directly to bills or given as gift cards to Zup’s in Ely. Small business funds are restricted to business-specific expenses including payroll assistance; rent, mortgage, and/or utility costs; payments to suppliers; and equipment necessary for business operation.
$294,043 in crisis funds were released August 17th among 14 households and 42 businesses in Buyck, Crane Lake, Ely, Tower, and Winton. Funding disbursements ranged from $100 to $1,500 for households and $2,500 to $10,000 for businesses.
“I was in the store when [funding approval] came through on my phone; I had all I could do to not cry,” said one funding recipient. “We cannot thank the United Way and everyone involved enough for helping us with this tremendous gift to get us through this season.”
While organizers say they are moved by the impact donors have made, they also acknowledge the need exceeds available assistance; UWNEMN applications received reflect $807,000 in support needed. On average, business applicants reported 40% in annual revenue lost.
“To see the need quantified has been eye-opening,” Shay said. “It’s even more staggering when you consider this is not reflective of August losses, and it’s only reflective of the businesses and households that applied.”
UWNEMN continues to accept donations for impacted communities across its service area through its Crisis & Disaster Recovery Fund and its Ely-specific fund.
A local cabin owner is offering a second $25,000 in matching funds for UWNEMN’s Ely-specific recovery fund, adding a dollar for every $2 donated there. Waconia-based Lakehouse Candle Co. is donating 10% of sales from all "Boundary Waters" scented candles they sell this month to UWNEMN’s Ely Wildfire Recovery Fund, specifically to support small businesses.
“This fund is receiving an incredible amount of support both from people who live here and people who don’t live here but love it here,” Shay said, noting the matching funds from Ely cabin owners and several fundraisers led by metro-area businesses. “It’s heartwarming to see the entire state show up for our region this way.”
Donations are 100% tax deductible, and 100% of funds raised will stay in the community or communities donors designate their funds toward. 100% of gifts not designated for a specific community will stay within UWNEMN’s service area.
More than $340,000 has been raised to-date, with $251,500 dedicated specifically to the Ely area. At the time of this release, all Ely-designated donations have been distributed to Ely businesses.
Funds were raised by more than 560 individuals as well as Boundary Waters Connect, Ely Area Community Foundation, Friends of the Boundary Waters, the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, NewRange Copper Nickel, Save the Boundary Waters, Sota Clothing, and Twin Metals Minnesota.
In addition to crisis funding, funds raised to-date have been used to purchase air purifiers for older adults in the Ely area.
UWNEMN also recently received a donation of 60 air purifiers it intends to distribute first come, first served in Buyck and Orr on August 28th.
UWNEMN staff and board members will be at the Echo Trail Tavern in Buyck from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and at T. Pattenn Café in Orr from 2 to 4 p.m. August 28th with Medify Air MA-35 Wall Mount Air Purifiers and N95 masks. Purifiers will be distributed first come, first served, one per household. Individuals must be present to receive a purifier.
The Medify purifier donation was facilitated by Duluth resident Travis Wright with distribution assistance from the American Red Cross.
Support the Ely Wildfire Recovery Fund | $1 added for every $2 donated!