March 4, 2010 — NESsT launched the Levantando Chile Fund in response to the February 27th earthquake. Levantando Chile is focused on providing immediate aid and long-term support to Chilean nonprofit groups that are working in the communities most affected by the disaster.

Levantando Chile kicked off last Thursday with a fundraising event hosted with Puro Chile in New York City. Over US$25,000 was raised at the event from donations at the door and a silent auction. Combined with our online appeal and other pledges, NESsT raised nearly US$75,000 in the first two days.

Three organizations will immediately benefit from the funds raised to date. US$25,000 has already been transferred to Chile Ayuda a Chile, a telethon campaign offering immediate aid toward the construction of 30,000 emergency homes. The remaining US$50,000 raised by NESsT will be divided betweenRelmu Witral, a nonprofit organization located in Tirúa, a coastal town that was destroyed by the tsunami, which is working with local indigenous communities of Lafkenche women to restore their income quickly so that they may continue to support their families and rebuild their lives; andTrabajo Para Un Hermano, a nonprofit organization based in the badly-hit city of Concepción that is working with poor communities to reestablish their businesses and get back on their feet.

Local Chilean organizations are well positioned to offer immediate and long-term aid to Chileans still reeling from the earthquake and the ongoing aftershocks. Levantando Chile is designed to facilitate the flow of capital to enable them to rebuild their communities. NESsT is planning a series of other events and online fundraising appeals to raise further capital for the Fund. Additional funds raised by NESsT for the Levantando Chile Fund will be used to support other efforts by local Chilean nonprofit organizations to help families and communities to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

For more information, please visit www.levantandochile.org.

— NESsT