Harvey. Mexico. Irma. Mexico (again). Maria. Between hurricanes and earthquakes, it’s been a rough few weeks. As the communities affected by these events turn from disaster relief to disaster recovery, you can help.
Option 1: Give to an Expert-Sponsored Fund
The end of this post lists expert-sponsored funds that are responding to the recent disasters. Such funds offer several advantages:
- Peace of mind—the sponsors carefully vet their nonprofit partners.
- Comprehensiveness—the sponsors look at the total picture for an affected community, addressing needs that may not be readily apparent to outsiders.
- Long-term commitment—the sponsors are dedicated to long-term recovery.
- Accountability—the sponsors oversee how their partners use the money they receive.
- Tax deductibility—the sponsors are registered with the IRS as charitable organizations. This is especially helpful if you’re giving to recovery efforts in Mexico or the Caribbean. Your gift to a Mexican or Caribbean nonprofit probably wouldn’t be deductible, but donations to funds sponsored by U.S. nonprofits are.
Some, but not all, expert-sponsored funds retain a portion of the contributions they receive, which bothers many donors. I used to feel that way. I don’t now, because the fees support the funds’ vetting and oversight activities. They support a level of expertise I don’t have. My recent donation went to a fund that keeps a percentage of contributions.
Option 2: Give Through a Nonprofit You Already Support
If there’s a nonprofit that’s near and dear to your heart, check to see if it’s responding to the recent disasters. Even if it isn’t directly involved in recovery efforts, it may be collecting donations on behalf of an affiliate or partner organization on the scene. You’ll usually find the information on the home page of the nonprofit’s website.
Option 3: Give to a Nonprofit’s General Disaster Relief Fund
Even as nonprofits were responding to Hurricane Harvey, they were dispatching personnel and supplies to places in Irma’s path. Then the earthquakes hit, then Maria. The timing of these events has depleted many organizations’ general disaster relief funds. Think about helping a nonprofit replenish these resources, so it will be ready when the next tragedy occurs.
Expert-Sponsored Funds
If you’re interested in supporting recovery efforts in a location not listed below, try contacting your local community foundation or United Way for recommendations. Searching GuideStar for “[location] community foundation” or “[location] United Way” usually works for finding these organizations.
- Hurricane Harvey
- Center for Disaster Philanthropy, CDP Hurricane Harvey Recovery Fund
- Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, BEAUFORT-SC Coastal Relief Fund
- Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, Southwest Louisiana Flood Fund
- Dallas Foundation, Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund
- GlobalGiving, Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
- Greater Houston Community Foundation, Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
- Greater New Orleans Foundation, NOLA Pay It Forward Fund
- Hispanics in Philanthropy, Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund for Texas
- San Antonio Area Foundation, The Mayor’s Hurricane Relief Fund
- Tulsa Community Foundation, Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
- Hurricane Irma
- Center for Disaster Philanthropy, CDP Hurricane Irma Recovery Fund
- Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation and partners, Community Emergency Needs Fund
- Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, Florida Keys Emergency Relief Fund
- Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, Disaster Recovery and Rebuilding Fund and BEAUFORT-SC Coastal Relief Fund
- Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Marin Counties, Hurricane Assistance Fund
- Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Hurricane Irma Relief and Recovery Fund
- Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, Community Foundation of Pinellas County, and partners, Tampa Bay Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund
- Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, Fund for the Virgin Islands
- GlobalGiving, Hurricane Irma Relief Fund
- Greater New Orleans Foundation, NOLA Pay It Forward Fund
- Hispanics in Philanthropy, Hurricane Relief Fund for Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Florida
- International Community Foundation, Barbuda Recovery & Conservation Trust Fund
- The Miami Foundation, Hurricane Relief Efforts
- Southwest Florida Community Foundation and partners, SWFL Hurricane Relief Fund
- Mexico Earthquakes
- Center for Disaster Philanthropy, CDP Mexico Earthquake Recovery Fund
- El Paso Community Foundation and Project Paz
- GlobalGiving, Mexico Earthquake Relief Fund
- Hispanics in Philanthropy, Earthquake Relief Fund for Mexico
- Hurricane Maria
- Center for Disaster Philanthropy, CDP Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund
- GlobalGiving, Puerto Rico and Caribbean Hurricane Relief Fund
- Hispanics in Philanthropy, Hurricane Relief Fund for Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Florida
- The Miami Foundation, Hurricane Relief Efforts
Suzanne Coffman is GuideStar’s editorial director.
