Billionaires’ new matching grants boost Palm Beach hurricane relief fund above $600,000

Two Palm Beach billionaire couples have stepped forward with challenge grants for the Town of Palm Beach United Way’s relief fund, which so far has raised more than $600,000 to help survivors of Hurricane Ian in southwest Florida.

The latest matching grants were made by investments manager Nelson Peltz of Trian Fund Management, joined by his wife, Claudia; and Marvel Entertainment Chairman Isaac Perlmutter and his wife, Laura. Each couple gave $50,000.

New donations to the fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000, the United Way said when it announced the grants.

The Peltzes issued a statement through the charitable organization that urged potential donors to not lose sight of the lives upended by the hurricane, which hit near Fort Myers on Sept. 28 as a Category 4 storm before cutting a path of deadly destruction across the state.

“It has been a few weeks and it is easy for some people to forget about the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, but relief efforts are still ongoing, and there are still thousands of families in dire situations,” the Peltzes’ statement said. “We are proud to help the United Way send much-needed dollars to organizations providing direct aid to those who need it most.”

The donations by the Peltzes and Perlmutters bring to 10, the number of matching grants made since the fund was established the day after the hurricane made landfall. Those grants have totaled $350,000.

In addition to the matching grants, the United Way had collected 137 donations — in amounts ranging from $25 to $50,000 — as of Friday. More donations came in over the weekend but had not been tallied as of Monday morning, according to the organization, but they could approach 175.

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As of the middle of last week, the Town of Palm Beach United Way had distributed $250,000 to organizations providing emergency-relief supplies and services in Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties, all areas hit hard by the hurricane, said board president Bill Tiefel. He and his wife, Norma, gave one of the first matching grants to the storm relief fund.

In their statement, the Perlmutters said they were inspired by “the superb fundraising efforts” for hurricane relief by the Town of Palm Beach United Way. The organization is separate from the United Way of Palm Beach County.

“We are honored to help continue those efforts with an additional matching gift,” the Perlmutters’ statement said. “Florida Gulf Coast communities haven’t seen a storm like this in decades. They need our support.”

Global Empowerment Mission is among the organizations that has benefited from the relief fund. So far, the group has served more than 77,000 people and delivered aid valued at over $2 million, according to founder and president Michael Capponi.

With three distribution hubs in the affected areas, Global Empowerment Mission has marshalled volunteers to help distribute nonperishable food, water, tarps, hygiene items and other emergency supplies. They have also helped place 255 families in temporary housing provided by Airbnb, according to Capponi.

“We greatly appreciate the support of the Palm Beach community,” Capponi said in the statement released by the United Way. “With the level of destruction in Florida’s west coast, and with the continued partnership with United Way, we will have tremendous impact on short and long term recovery.”

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At least three other on-the-ground groups working in Southwest Florida have received United Way funds —  Americares, Project HOPE and World Central Kitchen.

The other matching grants, which all met their fund-raising goals, were made by donors with strong ties to Palm Beach. They included the Cathleen McFarlane Foundation ($100,000); Barbara and Richard Rothschild ($25,000); Susan and Dom Telesco ($50,000); the Tiefels ($25,000); Irwin and Ginny Edlavitch ($25,000); Palm Beach Mayor Danielle Moore, through the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation ($25,000), Sandy and George Garfunkel ($25,000) and Elizabeth and Jerome Levy ($25,000).

More than 100 people died in Florida during the hurricane, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm with winds topping 150 mph, drenching rains and a massive storm surge. The storm also struck Cuba before it hit Florida. After it exited the state into the Atlantic Ocean, it then headed north an struck the coast of South Carolina.

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People can make donations to the Town of Palm Beach United Way Hurricane Ian Recovery Fund by visiting PalmBeachUnitedWay.org, calling 561-655-1919 or mailing a check — payable to Town of Palm Beach United Way with “Hurricane Ian” written in the memo portion — to 44 Cocoanut Row, Suite M201, Palm Beach, FL 33480.

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Darrell Hofheinz is a USA TODAY Network of Florida journalist who writes about Palm Beach real estate in his weekly “Beyond the Hedges” column. He welcomes tips about real estate news on the island. Email dhofheinz@pbdailynews.com, call (561) 820-3831 or tweet @PBDN_Hofheinz. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Billionaires’ grants push Palm Beach Hurricane Ian fund over $600,000