The City of Orlando made several announcements today about how it will disperse the over $17 million included in it's non profit called One Orlando Fund (Website).
Prior to June 17th, the City's dispersement plan was to disperse the funds directly to area non-profits. However, on June 17th, the City changed it's mind "after the families of victims from previous mass shootings at Virginia Tech, Columbine High School and elsewhere said in a letter that they objected to (OneOrlando Find) giving money only to nonprofits" according to US NEWS.
The letter included the following blunt statement:
"We believe that donations that are collected in the wake of national tragedies for victims should be disbursed directly TO them," the letter said. "That is why Americans are giving. To help the victims directly."
It was also announced yesterday that the OneOrlando Fund would combine with Equality Florida and a local LGBT community center to create one fund: OneOrlando Fund, which is now worth $17 million according to Orlando Sentinel.
The $17 million fund includes monies from the following:
- $10 million - OneOrlando Fund
- $7 million - Equality Florida
- $500,000 - The Orlando LGBT Center
Payments will now be paid by October 1, 2016 to the victims of the Pulse tragedy and their families based on their submitted claims.
Claim processes, forms and deadlines will be listed on OneOrlando Fund's website at a later date. No specific date was provided by the City.
No overhead or administrative costs will be paid for out of the OneOrlando Fund.
Kenneth R. Feinberg will develop the distribution protocol in partnership with (1) the OneOrlando Fund Board and (2) feedback received from two Town Hall meetings to be held August 4th at the Amway Center.
Feinberg has experience in the realm of Distribution protocol:
- Special Master for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001
- the Claims Administrator for the One Fund Boston
- Claims Administrator for the Virginia Tech Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund
- Claims Administrator for the Aurora Victim Relief Fund
- Compensation Fund Administrator for the BP Oil Spill Claims Administration
Members of the OneOrlando Board:
- Rena Langley, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Worldwide Government and Industry Relations, Walt Disney World
- Diane O'Dell, Vice President of Community Relations, Universal Orlando Resort
- Stephanie Ghertner, Director, Darden Foundation & Community Affairs
- Mark Meyer, Industry Manager, JPMorgan Chase
- Paul F. Bryan, Chief Executive Officer, Grover Bryan, Inc.
- Jennifer Foster, Owner and Executive Producer, Foster Productions, Inc.
- Diana Bolivar, President, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando
- Carlos Carbonell, Chief Executive Officer, Echo Interaction Group
- Ken Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Phillips Inc. and The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation
- Mark Shamley, President and Chief Executive Officer, Association of Corporate Contributions Professionals (ACCP)
- Michael Farmer, Statewide Deputy Director of Development, Equality Florida Action, Inc.
- Tim Vargas, Board President, GLBT Community Center of Central Florida (The Center)
- Chris McCullion, Chief Financial Officer, City of Orlando
- Walter G. Hawkins, Director of Urban Development, City of Orlando Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency