Jan. 28, Oxford Memorial and Victims Fund

Dear Wildcat Nation,

Over the past two months, Oxford has received such outpourings of generosity in the midst of the unthinkable. So far, approximately $1.6 million has been donated to the Oxford Community Memorial and Victims Fund held at the Oxford Bank and Genisys Credit Union. These funds have now been turned over to the National Compassion Fund to manage.

The National Compassion Fund (NCF) was developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime in partnership with victims and family members of situations similar to ours, including those from Sandy Hook, Aurora, Virginia Tech, Oak Creek Temple, NIU, Columbine, and 9/11. The NCF provides a single, trusted way for the public to donate to these tragedies. It honors the intent of the donor as well as the crime victims by distributing donations directly to them, in a fair and transparent way.

There are many funds that raise money in the name of crime victims who are not under any legal obligation to give that money to the victims or their families. They may collect excessive administrative fees or conceal the amount donated or how it is distributed. Others are outright scams. The NCF was set up to address this lack of transparency and accountability. It is a subsidiary of the National Center for Victims of Crime, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law.

The NCF steering committee for the fund set up to support the victims of the tragedy at Oxford High School is currently being established by NCF. This committee will establish the eligibility for receiving funds. Anyone who was at Oxford High School on November 30, 2021 at the time of the tragedy is considered a victim. Victims, family members, donors, or concerned citizens who would like information pertaining to this fund must sign up for updates to become part of their contact list at this link:  https://nationalcompassion.org/fund/oxford-hs-survivors-fund/.  Everyone who signs up to be on this contact list will receive updates on the fund and its process.

Please know, Oxford Community Schools, Oxford Township and Oxford Village do not have oversight, connection or authority over these funds or how they are distributed. If anyone has specific questions, please email:  [email protected].

-Oxford Community Schools