More than 500 families helped, with hundreds more still seeking assistance.

When our community came together after the July tornado, thousands of people, businesses and organizations responded. Their generosity has now put more than $5 million to work helping tornado-affected families and neighborhoods.

All $5,021,050 donated to the Community Response Fund – 2026 Tornado Relief to date has been awarded to 33 local nonprofits. Of that total, $4.1 million is supporting direct financial assistance to households through LEAVEN and People of Progression.

Since direct assistance began Sept. 1, the two organizations have helped more than 500 families. But as those families have shared their stories, we have learned something important: the need is greater than anyone could see in the first days after the tornado.

Recovery is about more than repairing a home

For one Menasha homeowner, the tornado has upended nearly every part of her life. Three years after a divorce, she owns her home (pictured) and was working to rebuild her financial footing. She hadn’t even made the first payment on a recently purchased car when the tornado totaled it. Her belongings were badly damaged, and now she is watching much of what she owns being scooped up and hauled away. Since the tornado, she has been staying in a hotel she can’t afford. Tomorrow, she is scheduled to meet with LEAVEN to talk about what she needs and what assistance may be available.

Her experience shows why tornado recovery isn’t one expense or one problem.

Families are dealing with lost income, damaged furniture and belongings, home and vehicle insurance deductibles, temporary housing costs and more. For some, the tornado made financial struggles they were already facing even harder, including unemployment, disability or living on a fixed income. And new needs have emerged as insurance claims are processed, temporary housing arrangements end, and the costs of replacing damaged belongings and transportation add up.

“The stories we’re hearing make clear why the need is so much greater than any of us could see in the first days after the tornado,” said Nikki Gerhard, executive director of LEAVEN. “Families aren’t coming to us with just a damaged roof. They’re dealing with lost income, totaled vehicles, temporary housing, insurance deductibles and belongings they have to replace—all at the same time. This assistance is helping families get over those immediate financial hurdles and take the next step forward, but there are many more families still waiting for that help.”

The challenge is that life doesn’t stop while families recover.

“People are trying to recover from a disaster while still going to work, caring for their children and paying the bills that didn’t stop when the tornado hit,” said Kristin Kelly, executive director of People of Progression. “For many families, one setback leads to another—a damaged vehicle makes it harder to get to work, missed work means lost income, and suddenly they’re falling behind on expenses that have nothing to do with repairing their home. This assistance gives families some breathing room to deal with what happened and begin moving forward.”

More than 600 requests are still ahead

While more than 500 families have already received help, LEAVEN and People of Progression are currently working through more than 600 additional requests for assistance and scheduled appointments.

Families who have already requested assistance should know that help continues to go out. Although all money donated to the Community Response Fund to date has been awarded to nonprofits, not all of those dollars have yet been distributed to families.

Based on the number of people seeking help and what nonprofits are now learning about their needs, at least another $4 million is needed so assistance can continue reaching tornado-affected households.

Our community is stepping forward again

More than 5,300 individuals, businesses and organizations have already contributed to the Community Response Fund. Now, as we better understand what recovery will take, our community is being asked to come together again. And that next effort already has a significant start.

The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, United Way Fox Cities, and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation have announced that a donor has stepped forward with $500,000 toward the additional $4 million needed.

“The Fox Valley has never faced a disaster of this magnitude,” said Bill Wyman, president and CEO of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. “This $500,000 gift gives us a strong start toward the $4 million goal. Every new gift builds on that commitment and helps more tornado-affected families get the assistance they need to secure a warm home before winter, a reliable way to get to work, and help catching up on bills.”

100% of your gift will go directly to tornado-affected households.

The tornado happened in minutes. Recovery will take much longer. But once again, our community has an opportunity to make sure our neighbors don’t have to do it alone.