Philanthropy's Response to Jackson Water Crisis

Overview

Heavy rain led to severe flooding in Jackson, Mississippi, which resulted in the damage of a major water treatment plant. The city's pipes are running dry or likely chemically contaminated, leaving thousands of residents without clean tap water. Jackson had already been under a boil-water notice since late July. President Biden declared a state of emergency on August 30th, 2022 and the National Guard in Mississippi were also activated. 

Some experts are comparing the current situation in Jackson to the 2014 water crisis in Flint, Michigan, during which the city’s residents didn’t have access to clean water due to years of accumulated lead contamination. The state of Michigan is still helping Flint residents recover and rebuild and is just now nearing the end of its major water infrastructure upgrades. Millions of dollars were donated from the state and federal government to help with water quality improvements, pipe replacement, healthcare, food resources, educational resources, job training, and more. 

As updates about the impact of this flood are known and opportunities to support long-term recovery become available, this page will be regularly updated with more resources and information. 

Resources

• Ways to Help: Jackson Water Crisis – Community Foundation for Mississippi 
• Jackson, Mississippi Water Crisis – Center for Disaster Philanthropy
• Resources for Jackson, Mississippi water crisis – W.K. Kellogg Foundation 
• Council on Foundations' Disaster Grantmaking– Foundations can access our Disaster Grantmaking Resources to understand how to effectively respond to a disaster.

Response Funds

• Helping Friends and Neighbors Fund- Community Foundation for Mississippi 
• Jackson Public Schools Emergency Response Fund- Community Foundation for Mississippi 

Partners

• The Center for Disaster Philanthropy is the Council's recommended partner for those needing support in mobilizing a philanthropic response to disasters.
• FEMA is a critical federal partner of the Council that often relies on community foundations and place-based funders before, during, and after a disaster hits. Visit FEMA'S Mississippi Water Crisis page to apply for assistance or for additional news and information.