Grantee stories
Francesco’s Story, Essentials Fund Grantee
The government shutdown, which lasted from October 1st to November 12, 2025, disrupted daily life for millions of Americans. For families relying…
Samantha’s Story:
“My life changed in an instant when a flash flood swept through my neighborhood around 1 a.m. on March 20th, destroying both my car and my home,” Samantha D. wrote, describing the devastation of the Kona Low storm which struck her community this winter. “In the chaos, I managed to get myself and my dog to safety, but I wasn’t able to grab anything else.”
The storms brought some of the worst flooding Hawaiʻi had seen in more than 20 years, destroying nearly everything Samantha owned, including the equipment and supplies she relied on to run her mobile massage therapy business. Even though she and her pets made it out safely, the reality of replacing her home, car, belongings, and work materials quickly became overwhelming.
In March, Samantha created a fundraiser on GoFundMe to ask her community for support. Shortly after, she received a $1,000 grant from GoFundMe.org’s Flood Relief Fund, helping her afford repairs and replacements so she could move back into her home.
"This grant has allowed me to start the slow process of replacing everything that was lost in the flood, it’s overwhelming how much even the little household things add up when you’re starting from scratch, and I’m so appreciative. My pets and I are finally back in our home after almost 2 months and so relieved to have the ability to get back on our feet."
Flood Relief Fund Grantee
Katie’s Story:
Katie M. is a beekeeper and small business owner on the North Shore of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. This winter, she was among the thousands impacted when the Kona Low storms brought some of the worst flooding Hawaiʻi had seen in decades. While she did her best to prepare, there was nothing she could do when several feet of water rushed through her small apiary, damaging hive boxes, flooding her processing space, and destroying many of the bee colonies she had spent years caring for.
Knowing that Katie could use all the help she could get, her friend and coworker, Stephanie, started a fundraiser on GoFundMe to help her raise money to replace damaged hive boxes, restore the honey processing space, and care for and stabilize her bee colonies.
“We’ve been beekeeping with Katie for the past year,” Stephanie shared, “We are donating our time to help with this, because we believe in Katie’s work and because that’s just what you do for people in your community. You show up.”
With the support of her community and a $1,000 grant from GoFundMe.org’s Flood Relief Fund, Katie was able to begin rebuilding her apiary and get her beekeeping business running again.
"This has been one of the most challenging times of my life and the grant from GoFundMe.org lifted my spirits, gave me hope, and provided the resources needed for me to get my beekeeping business back running again. Mahalo!"
Flood Relief Fund Grantee
