About the Fund

The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund, Inc. is a nonprofit organization providing efficient and compassionate assistance and relief to residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who were directly impacted by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

There are a number of public and private organizations providing aid to families of the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. However, the Fund is the first and only nonprofit organization established to raise money, provide assistance, and coordinate the provision of services for the exclusive benefit of victims' families living in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont.

The Fund works closely with individuals who lost someone dear to them on 9/11: a spouse, a child, a sibling, a parent. Nationally it has been estimated that more than 80% of the lives lost as a result of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 were the primary wage earners for their families. Two-thirds of American families contributed to various 9/11 funds based in New York. This spring, it was reported that out of an estimated $1.3 billion in donations, $5.4 million went to the families in Massachusetts (an average of only $30,000 per family).

Every dollar raised goes directly to the victims' families. Administrative and overhead expenses are paid only from donations solicited solely for this purpose.

The establishment of the Fund in January 2002 was made possible by a generous donation by The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company in the amount of $500,000. On January 16, 2002 the Fund held a press conference to announce the creation of the Fund. Roderick MacLeish, Jr. and Christie Coombs both made statements at the press conference. At that time the Fund promised that all monies that were collected by January 23, 2002 would go out to the families within 60 days. As promised, the Fund gave out its first round of disbursements at the end of March 2002, a total of nearly $513,000, and is in the process of fundraising for the next round.

In addition to providing financial assistance, the Fund is helping to coordinate free legal, financial advisory, and counseling services, and will help participants identify and access resources which may be available through federal and state agencies or other charitable organizations.

The Fund hopes to provide immediate, short-term relief and services, as well as long-term support, and to serve the needs of the victims' families that may arise in the future.