April 5, 2022

 

Dana Investment Advisors is pleased to direct our inaugural donation from the Dana Donor Advised Fund, to ShelterBox USA, Inc., a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and affiliate of ShelterBox Trust, an independently governed charity in the UK. ShelterBox USA is 4-star rated by Charity Navigator and Platinum rated by Guidestar – the highest ratings for non-profit organizations. ShelterBox was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 and 2019.

ShelterBox helps people when disaster strikes by providing them with emergency shelter and essential equipment, which includes helping refugees fleeing Ukraine right now. Our colleague and Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Noaman Sharief, became a Board member last fall, and brought this organization to our attention.  “What impresses me most about ShelterBox,” says Sharief, “is that the individuals associated with the organization are truly committed to serving humanity without delay.”

ShelterBox has three Ukraine-focused projects.

Project 1/Ukraine: Assisting Internally Displaced People (IDPs) who are sheltering in Collective Centers

ShelterBox is sending thousands of mattresses to evacuation collective centers, including schools, churches, and centers in western Ukraine, providing people who have fled their homes with somewhere to sleep and keep warm at night.

Project 2/Ukraine: Repairing Damaged Homes

ShelterBox is preparing to send thousands of ShelterKits, including heavy-duty tarpaulins, tools, and rope. The kits help repair homes that have been damaged so that families can shelter in place. The aid package includes high thermal blankets, hygiene kits, solar lights, buckets, and water carriers to help people survive in conflict-damaged buildings.

Project 3/Refugee Support:

ShelterBox will support refugees in neighboring countries with high priority portable items. As the conflict continues, the needs of people reaching the borders will increase. Resources of some countries are becoming overstretched as more and more people seek safety and refuge. Moldova, for example, has seen more than 380,000 people flee into the country – equivalent to more than 10% of its population.

Mark Mirsberger, Dana’s CEO notes, “Dana employees have always supported charitable efforts with their time, talent, and financial gifts. This new Dana Donor Advised Fund, established in Q4 2021, expands our collective efforts to help others. We plan on growing this Fund so we can provide financial resources to worthy causes like ShelterBox for years to come.”

If you would like to learn more about ShelterBox, please see: https://www.shelterboxusa.org/