GIVE: Two funds will provide help to families, community

The city of Charleston has established two official funds to take donations following Wednesday’s tragic shooting at Emanuel AME Church.

The Mother Emanuel Hope Fund will provide direct financial support for the funeral and burial expenses of the nine victims of the tragedy. Any money left after the expenses are paid will be donated to the church to use in ways determined by its governance board. Donations to the HOPE Fund are not tax-deductible, according to sources.

• To donate by check, send your contribution to Mother Emanuel Hope Fund, City of Charleston, P.O. Box 304, Charleston, SC 29402. Or you can stop by any Wells Fargo bank nationwide to donate. Finally, you can donate by going online here: www.Bidr.co/prayforcharleston.

The Lowcountry Ministries Pinckney Fund is an initiative by the city and Palmetto Project to fund community initiatives in areas in which one of the victims, state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, who also was pastor at Emanuel AME Church. Donations to this fund are tax-deductible. This fund is to be guided by an advisory board of Pinckney’s colleagues, friends and family along with representatives from congregations he served including Emanuel AME Church.  The Palmetto Project will provide professional oversight and management of the fund.

• To donate by check, send your contribution to Lowcountry Ministries Pinckney Fund, Palmetto Project, 6296 Rivers Avenue, #100, North Charleston, SC 29406. Or you can donate online at www.PalmettoProject.org