Disaster Relief

Dear Friends, Please consider donating or volunteering to help those affected by recent disasters:

Charity Navigator - a website that rates various charitable organizations HERE or https://www.charitynavigator.org/

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES 2018

  • American Red Cross - This nonprofit has opened shelters across the state to help evacuees. They also have an online tool that people can use to register themselves as safe so loved ones can find them. HERE or https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief/wildfire-relief/2018-california-wildfires-relief-information.html
  • American Red Cross of Central California - HERE or https://www.redcross.org/local/california/central-california/about-us/our-work/wildfires-response.html
  • American Red Cross Gold Country Region California - HERE or https://www.redcross.org/local/california/gold-country/about-us/our-work/wildfires-response.html
  • American Red Cross Los Angeles Region - HERE or https://www.redcross.org/local/california/los-angeles/about-us/our-work/wildfires-response.html
  • California Fire Foundation Relief Fund - This organization is on the ground distributing financial assistance to people who have lost everything in the fires. Through its emergency assistance program, firefighters distribute pre-paid gift cards to help those who need to purchase necessities like food, medicine and clothing. HERE or http://cafirefoundation.org/programs/supplying-aid-to-victims-of-emergency/
  • California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund - For 15 years, the foundation has offered aid to those affected by wildfires. Grants have gone to rebuilding homes, providing financial and mental health assistance and helping those affected to get medical treatment. HERE or https://www.calfund.org/wildfire-relief-fund/
  • Caring Choices - This nonprofit, which is in Chico, Calif., has turned into a hub for organizing volunteers to help those affected by the Camp Fire. Volunteers are assigned a variety of duties, including caring for displaced animals and, for those who are certified doctors or nurses, offering medical care. HERE or http://www.caring-choices.org/home.html
  • Enloe Medical Center - This 298-bed hospital is in Chico, the site of multiple evacuation centers for the Camp Fire. It is accepting donations for patients and families who have been displaced. HERE or https://www.enloe.org/enloe-foundation/enloe-foundation
  • Entertainment Industry Foundation - This nonprofit, started by Hollywood stars, has a fund that helps firefighters and other emergency workers battling California wildfires. One of its beneficiaries is the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, which provides hydration backpacks and night vision goggles for helicopter pilots. HERE or https://secure.eifoundation.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app367a?df_id=4520&mfc_pref=T&4520.donation=form1&NONCE_TOKEN=BD586CAC59FBAE663577626DA737EA87
  • Humane Society of Ventura County - This nonprofit is accepting donations to help animals displaced by the Woolsey and Hill Fires. It is taking in domestic animals, such as dogs, cats and birds, as well as livestock. HERE or https://www.hsvc.org/donate
  • North Valley Community Foundation - This nonprofit in Chico is raising money to support organizations that are sheltering evacuees of the Camp Fire. These could include churches, fairgrounds and community centers, said Logan Todd, a foundation spokesman. HERE or https://www.nvcf.org/fund/camp-fire-evacuation-relief-fund/
  • Salvation Army - At both ends of the state, the Salvation Army is providing meals to shelters in local churches, fairgrounds and a community college. HERE or https://westernusa.salvationarmy.org/usw_thq/news/california_wildfires/
  • United Way of Greater Los Angeles - This local branch of the national organization is raising money for those affected by the Woolsey and Hill Fires, specifically to help low-income residents. HERE or https://www.unitedwayla.org/en/give/disaster-relief-fund/
  • United Way of Northern California - This local chapter of the national nonprofit has established a disaster relief fund to offer emergency cash and help to people who have lost their homes, according to a news release. HERE or https://www.norcalunitedway.org/sites/norcalunitedway.org/files/uwnc%20press%20release%20-%20camp%20fire.pdf

HURRICANE MICHAEL 2018

  • American Red Cross - HERE or https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-michael-donations.html/
  • Salvation Army Florida - HERE or https://salvationarmyflorida.org/Response/

HURRICANE FLORENCE 2018

  • American Red Cross - HERE or https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-florence-donations.html/
  • Salvation Army - HERE or http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/news/2018/09/16/hurricane-florence-disaster-response-update

HURRICANE HARVEY 2017

  • American Red Cross - Usually the first group people think of when giving after a disaster. It says it is providing shelters for those displaced by Harvey, and it has thousands of volunteers on the ground in the state. You can give HERE or http://www.redcross.org/hp/harvey2 (3/4 stars from Charity Navigator)
  • American Red Cross Volunteer - HERE or https://volunteerconnection.redcross.org/
  • All Hands - This nonprofit has staff on the ground in Texas and is in contact with emergency management officials about assisting in the response and recovery. You can give HERE or https://www.hands.org/projects/hurricane-harvey-response/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator)
  • Americares - The nonprofit focused on medicine and health is seeking to provide emergency medical supplies and other basic resources to first responders and others in Texas. You can give HERE or http://www.americares.org/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator.)
  • Catholic Charities USA - HERE or https://catholiccharitiesusa.org/ (not rated by Charity Navigator)
  • Coalition for the Homeless (Houston) - HERE or http://www.homelesshouston.org/ (not rated by Charity Navigator)
  • Driscoll Children’s Hospital (the pediatric hospital in Corpus Christi) - HERE or http://www.driscollchildrens.org/ (not rated by Charity Navigator)
  • Donate blood - HERE or http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood
  • Foundation Beyond Belief - The humanist group, also recommended by Montano, is evaluating how best to use the funds it collects. You can give HERE or https://foundationbeyondbelief.org/hurricane-harvey-drive/ (not rated by Charity Navigator)
  • Global Giving - A charity crowdfunding site that is attempting to raise $2 million to be used exclusively for local relief and recovery efforts. You can give HERE or https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-harvey-relief-fund/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator.)
  • Greater Houston Community Fund - A broad-based relief fund established by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. You can give HERE or https://ghcfdisaster.kimbia.com/hurricaneharveyrelieffund (not rated by Charity Navigator)
  • Heart to Heart International - HERE or http://www.hearttoheart.org/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator)
  • The Humane Society - HERE or http://www.humanesociety.org/ (3/4 stars from Charity Navigator)
  • Portlight - A disaster response group dedicated specifically to people with disabilities. It is seeking to help affected people with evacuation and finding shelter, any medical equipment needs they might have, and more. You can learn more about its efforts HERE or http://www.portlight.org/home.html (not rated by Charity Navigator)
  • Salvation Army - The Christian charity is emphasizing its intentions to help with long-term recovery in Houston. You can give HERE or http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/ (not rated by Charity Navigator since it is a religious organization)
  • Salvation Army Volunteer - HERE or http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/volunteer/
  • Samaritan’s Purse - HERE or https://www.samaritanspurse.org/disaster/hurricane-harvey/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator)
  • Save the Children – HERE or http://savethechildren.org/ (3/4 stars from Charity Navigator)
  • SBP - The New Orleans-based organization is planning to send AmeriCorps volunteers, assist local leaders and nonprofits, and eventually help rebuild damaged or destroyed homes. You can give HERE or http://sbpusa.org/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator.)
  • Southern Baptist Disaster Relief - HERE or https://missionaries.namb.net/projects/full/hurricane-harvey-response
  • SPCA of Texas - HERE or https://www.spca.org/news_hurricane-harvey (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator)
  • Texas Diaper Bank - HERE or http://www.texasdiaperbank.org/ (not rated by Charity Navigator)

TEXAS FOOD BANKS

  • Brazos Valley Food Bank (Bryan) - HERE or http://bvfb.org/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator)
  • Central Texas Food Bank (Austin) - HERE or http://centraltexasfoodbank.org/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator)
  • Corpus Christi Food Bank - HERE or http://www.foodbankcc.com/ (3/4 stars from Charity Navigator)
  • Food Bank of the Golden Crescent (Victoria) - HERE or http://victoriafoodbank.org/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator)
  • Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley (Pharr) - HERE or http://foodbankrgv.com/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator)
  • Galveston County Food Bank - HERE or http://galvestoncountyfoodbank.org/ (not rated by Charity Navigator)
  • Houston Food Bank - HERE or http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/donate/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator)
  • San Antonio Food Bank - HERE or http://safoodbank.org/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator)
  • Southeast Texas Food Bank (Beaumont) - HERE or http://setxfoodbank.org/ (not rated by Charity Navigator)
  • Check out Charity Navigator’s Hurricane Harvey page if you’d like to see more options. HERE or https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=5239

MEXICO EARTHQUAKES

  • Global Giving - A charity crowdfunding site that is attempting to raise $1 million to be used exclusively for local relief and recovery efforts in Mexico. You can give to earthquake relief HERE or https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/mexico-earthquake-relief-fund/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator.)
  • International Community Foundation - This charity normally does a lot of work in Mexico, and is raising money for earthquake relief in many different areas in Mexico impacted by the two earthquakes that hit. You can give here HERE or https://donate.icfdn.org/npo/international-disaster-relief-fund (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator.)
  • Oxfam Mexico - The nonprofit is focusing its efforts on relief after the Mexico earthquakes. You can give HERE or https://secure2.oxfamamerica.org/page/content/emergency_mexico/ (3/4 stars from Charity Navigator.)
  • Red Cross Mexico - Usually the first group people think of when giving after a disaster. You can donate to the victims of Mexico City quake HERE or https://cruzrojadonaciones.org/ (it’s in Spanish, use Google to translate the website) as well as the victims of the Chiapas and Oaxaca earthquakes.
  • UNICEF Mexico - The United Nations Children's Fund specifically works to support children impacted by natural disasters, including building “child-friendly spaces” after disaster strikes. You can give HERE or https://www.unicef.org/mexico/spanish/ (also in Spanish) (3/4 stars from Charity Navigator.)
  • Check out Charity Navigator’s earthquakes in Mexico if you’d like to see more options. HERE or https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=5392

HURRICANES IRMA 2017 AND MARIA 2017

  • All Hands - This nonprofit was recommended to Vox by disasterologist Samantha Montano. You can give HERE or https://www.hands.org/projects/hurricane-irma-maria-response/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator.)
  • American Red Cross - Usually the first group people think of when giving after a disaster. It says it is providing shelters for those displaced by Irma, and it has thousands of volunteers on the ground. You can give HERE or https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-irma-donations (3/4 stars from Charity Navigator.)
  • Americares - The nonprofit focused on medicine and health is seeking to provide emergency medical supplies and other basic resources to first responders and others. You can give HERE or http://www.americares.org/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator.)
  • Brigid’s Crossing Foundation - An animal shelter in Naples, Florida. You can give HERE or http://brigid.com/donate/
  • ConPRmetidos - The Puerto Rican organization focused on public-private partnership is aiming to raise $150,000 for relief and recovery. You can give HERE or https://www.generosity.com/emergencies-fundraising/puerto-rico-real-time-recovery-fund
  • Convoy of Hope - The hunger-focused group is sending meals to Haiti. You can give HERE or https://www.convoyofhope.org/donate/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator.)
  • Global Giving - A charity crowdfunding site that is attempting to raise $2 million to be used exclusively for local relief and recovery efforts. You can give HERE or https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-irma-relief-fund/ (4/4 stars from Charity Navigator.)
  • Oxfam -The nonprofit is focusing its efforts on the Caribbean islands that were devastated by Irma. You can give HERE or https://secure2.oxfamamerica.org/page/content/emergency_hurricaneirma/ (3/4 stars from Charity Navigator.)
  • Salvation Army - The Christian charity is emphasizing its intentions to help with long-term recovery. You can give HERE or http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/
  • South Florida Wildlife Center - The group is centering its efforts on animals affected by the storm. You can give HERE or http://www.southfloridawildlifecenter.org/how_you_can_help
  • United Way of Miami-Dade - One of the major local nonprofits that will be working on Irma recovery. You can give HERE or https://unitedwaymiami.org/
  • Volunteer Florida - The state-based group is accepting volunteers and donations. Learn more HERE or https://www.volunteerflorida.org/irma/
  • Check out Charity Navigator’s Hurricane Irma page if you’d like to see more options. HERE or https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=5243
  • Check out Charity Navigator’s Hurricane Maria page if you’d like to see more options. HERE or https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=5356

PUERTO RICO 2017

  • Former U.S. presidents have expanded their One America Appeal to include recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands - HERE or https://www.oneamericaappeal.org/
  • All Hands Volunteers - HERE or https://www.hands.org/projects/hurricane-irma-maria-response/
  • Americares - HERE or http://www.americares.org/
  • Catholic Relief Services - HERE or https://support.crs.org/donate/hurricane-irma-relief
  • Center for Popular Democracy - HERE or https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/cb4a3c78-5694-4324-bead-42c8ad94c1bf
  • Direct Relief - HERE or https://www.directrelief.org/
  • Global Giving has a $2 million goal for victims of Hurricane Maria - HERE or https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-maria-caribbean-relief-fund/
  • Hispanic Federation’s “Unidos” page - HERE or http://hispanicfederation.org/
  • Save the Children, which focuses specifically on the needs of families and their children - HERE or http://www.savethechildren.org
  • United for Puerto Rico (spearheaded by the First Lady of Puerto Rico) - HERE or http://unidosporpuertorico.com/en/
  • UNICEF - HERE or https://www.unicefusa.org/donate/support-unicef-usas-hurricane-relief-efforts-puerto-rico/32952