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The Paso del Norte Community Foundation (PdNCF) and El Paso Community Foundation (EPCF) created One Fund El Paso, a nonprofit agency, in August 2019 to oversee the distribution of donations intended to support victims and survivors of those directly impacted by the August 3rd tragedy. Led by the former Executive Director of the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, Stephanie Karr, One Fund El Paso contracted with the National Compassion Fund (NCF) and established a task force to oversee the distribution of funds in the most fair and transparent manner. Task Force members were selected to represent government, law, healthcare and nonprofit industries to ensure a diverse and comprehensive skillset to oversee the distribution. NCF managed the process and logistics for fund distribution based on their experience with mass casualty incidents, including donations for victims and survivors of the September 11th terrorist attacks, as well as the shootings at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Santa Fe High School, and Las Vegas. The administrative costs associated with the operation of One Fund El Paso and NCF have been covered entirely by the PdNCF and EPCF so that victims and survivors receive 100% of donations.
In all, One Fund El Paso received a total of $11,833,588.30 in donations. $315,000 were distributed to provide immediate assistance to victims confirmed by law enforcement between August and November. The remaining $11,518,588.30 is being distributed among approved applicants for funding as part of a protocol recommended by the National Compassion Fund, shared with the public for review and comment including a public meeting on September 28, 2019, and approved by the One Fund El Paso Task Force and Board.
Applications had to meet the requirements outlined in the Final Protocol to receive approval. According to the Final Protocol, victims could apply for benefits in one of four categories — death; long-term injury; short-term injury; and psychological trauma. Denials occurred for several reasons, including, but not limited to, incomplete applications after several contact attempts, not being present, or not having received specified medical services. Approved applications were received from American and Mexican citizens.
The identities of the recipients and the amounts allocated in each category will not be revealed in order to protect the privacy and security of victims and their families.
As part of its commitment to transparency and stewardship, One Fund El Paso worked with the National Compassion Fund to engage an external audit firm to conduct an independent review of the contributions and distributions made to support victims and families of the August 3, 2019 shooting. The firm conducted the review in late 2020, after 100% of the funds were distributed to support victims and families per the distribution guidelines established with input from the public in the fall of 2019. The firm reported “no findings” to the One Fund of El Paso Task Force as a result of the review.
Please see below for more information on the process initiated for the distribution of funds to victims and families. We are so thankful to everyone who contributed to the fund. We encourage donors interested in supporting victims in the future to consider a gift to the education fund set up by CommUnity en Accion to support the educational needs of victims and families. Click here to Donate.
Non-Cash
Tangible personal property. Examples may be real estate, oil, gas, or mineral interests.
Planned Gifts
Bequests, appreciated securities, life insurance, retirement plans, and charitable remainder trusts, and more.
