Where to Donate for Hurricane & Disaster Relief
Hurricane Michael is going down as the most powerful storm to hit the U.S. in decades, sweeping across Florida and leaving thousands displaced in a state still recovering from last year’s record-breaking storm season. Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Jose, and Hurricane Maria remind us that the work to assist our communities while they are at their most vulnerable is an ongoing effort. There are many international, national, and local agencies doing incredible on-the-ground work, delivering food, water, diapers, and more—as well as helping residents rebuild. For those of us who are thousands of miles away, sending money is one of the most efficient ways to help. This list is not exhaustive and we will continue to add more as relief efforts continue to develop. The devastation will certainly not be ameliorated this week, or even in the weeks to come—if you can swing it, ongoing monthly donations for the foreseeable future are particularly great, as it might take years for Texas, Florida, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and Mexico to rebuild.
Florida
All Faiths Food Bank
Based in Sarasota, this regional food bank consistently provides food to underserved communities, and is currently mobilizing to respond to Irma. They are a worthy destination for a donation, and will also need volunteers.
Feeding South Florida
While traditionally focused on nourishing vulnerable families and kids, Feeding South Florida will be mobilizing for disaster response this week, as they are a staging site for FEMA. They have a massive storage warehouse, and will be working with local food banks to distribute as needed.
Humane Society of Greater Miami
The Miami outpost of the Humane Society will need help, including money and supplies, as they will likely be inundated with misplaced pets, and will need to accommodate as many animals as they can.
Texas
Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
After fielding a massive amount of incoming calls looking for ways to substantially help Houston, Mayor Sylvester Turner and County Judge Ed Emmett established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, which will provide ongoing support and disaster relief.
Houston Food Bank
The Houston Food Bank is playing a critical role in delivering sustenance—a $1 donation provides three meals—to residents who have been displaced post-Harvey, including families and children who are already vulnerable. They are also accepting volunteers, you can sign up for shifts on their website.
Texas Diaper Bank
This local agency delivers wipes, diapers, and other baby essentials to vulnerable families and elders. They are looking for diaper and wipe donations, as well as volunteers to help distribute the mass of diapers that came in post-Harvey.
Best Friends Animal Society
This local animal shelter is working tirelessly to reconnect displaced pets with their owners (you can search a database on their site), as well as to continue to support homeless animals. They have a specific fund devoted to Hurricane Harvey.
BeyGOOD Houston
A Houston native, Beyoncé is working with a handful of trusted local charities to provide those displaced by Hurricane Harvey with meals and essentials like feminine products, diapers, wheelchairs, bedding, and more.
The Montrose Center
Focused on the LGBTQ community, The Montrose Center created an LGBTQ Disaster Relief Fund will to help residents rebuild their lives. They provide counseling, case management, food, furniture, shelter, and more.
Coastal Bend Food Bank
Formerly known as the Corpus Christi Food Bank, this organization has consistently nourished the areas most vulnerable citizens. They have mobilized extensively for Hurricane Harvey victims and are actively seeking donations and volunteers.
Puerto Rico
United for Puerto Rico
Beatriz Rosselló, the First Lady of Puerto Rico, collaborated with the private sector to bring this initiative to fruition, creating three designated help centers on the island. Donations can be made via phone or online.
Generosity
Managed by the non-profit organization ConPRmetidos, donations from this charity will first go toward supplying affected inhabitants with food, shelter, water and other immediate needs–and then will focus on long-term recovery efforts.
Puerto Ricans in Action
Tangent to the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Fund, this effort involves entities in both Los Angeles and Puerto Rico that are working together to help rebuild the nations’s devastated areas, while providing immediate essentials to those affected.
The Caribbean
Halo Foundation
Focused on Barbuda, which was almost completely destroyed by Irma (90-95 percent of buildings are damaged), leaving nearly all of the population homeless.
SPCA International
When natural disaster strikes, many family pets are separated by their families—between that and homeless animals who need help, shelters are typically overrun. This international organization provides emergency aid to shelters and rescue groups to help them move and harbor animals safely.
St. John Community Foundation
St. John was hit incredibly hard by the hurricane (the island hospital lost its roof, forcing the evacuation of patients), and many residents expect it may take months to restore power. It is difficult for outside aid agencies to reach them currently, so this is a good place to start.
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
This philanthropy center focuses on medium, and long-term rebuilding efforts in order to sustain the period of giving, as many immediate response agencies are flooded with donations.
Save the Children
This international charity focuses on disadvantaged and disenfranchised children and families, i.e., those who are the most vulnerable during times of crisis.
OXFAM
Oxfam has been working in the Caribbean for 30 years, and is working particularly hard on issues like safe water and sanitation.
UNICEF
Specifically focused on vulnerable children, UNICEF works to ensure that there is safe water and shelter, as well as ongoing access to health services and education post-disaster.
St. John Rescue Inc.
This GoFundMe has been organized by the citizens of St. John’s, specifically for the St. John Rescue. The all-volunteer organization is chartered to provide emergency rescue and medical support services to St. John EMS, Police, Fire, National Park Service, VITEMA, and DPNR. They also do vehicle and structure stabilization, extrication, triage, Jaws of Life, portable AED, oxygen kits and island wide communication systems. At a minimum, all responding members are Certified Emergency Medical First Responders.
21 US Virgin Island Relief Fund
Organized by basketball player Tim Duncan, who was 13-years-old when Hurricane Hugo destroyed his community in the Virgin Islands. He will match all donations up to $1,000,000.
Habitat for Humanity
This international nonprofit organization focuses on assessing damage in disaster zones, rebuilding, and getting displaced families into safe housing as fast as possible.
Mexico Earthquakes 
Topos
Spearheaded in 1985 after Mexico suffered a devastating earthquake, this non-profit force delivers rescue teams, many which consist of first responders, to areas in need after a natural disaster hits. The organization is run solely by volunteers–clad in distinct red uniforms–who have received official training.
Crowdrise: Support UNICEF's Relief Efforts in Mexico
Actress and humanitarian Salma Hayek is raising funds via Crowdrise, a global fundraising platform, in effort to provide aid to those who’ve suffered from recent natural disasters in her home country. Hayek will personally match the first $100,000 raised to help fund UNICEF’s relief efforts, which has active response teams on the ground.
Project Paz
Founded in 2010 in NYC by a group of friends linked by their Mexican roots, this organization aims to help children affected by drug-related violence in Mexico–and it’s now extending its efforts to the nation’s youth who’ve been affected by the recent natural disasters.
Cruz Roja Mexicana
The Mexican Red Cross is on site, working day in and day out, to help victims of either recent earthquake that caused major destruction in several states of the Mexican Republic. Monetary donations can be made online–and the organization has set up an Amazon Wish list as a way to garner needed supplies.
Napa and Sonoma Counties Wildfires
Marin Humane
The Marin Human society helps more than 10,000 animals annually via its shelter and foster programs. It has extended its boarding facilities to fire victims who need emergency temporary homes for their pets. It’s also lending its man power to assist the Marin Civic Center and other local organizations that are collaborating in relief efforts. Monetary donations will help support these endeavors.
The Anova Phoenix Campaign
The campus of Anova–Sonoma County’s only non-profit school that provides educational, behavioral, and therapy for autistic children–was destroyed, leaving more than 100 students, ages 5 to 22, without a school. Monetary donations will go toward helping the school rebuild, as well as providing transitional programs in the interim. Additionally, the school recently raised $75,000 for a new playground structure that burned to the ground several days after it was delivered. All support will help the school and its students move forward.
Sonoma County Resilience Fund
The Community Foundation Sonoma County has launched the Sonoma County Resilience Fund to support mid- and long-term recovery needs of the region. Monetary donations will help fund a variety of community rebuilding essentials including support for renters, animal welfare, case management services, and non-profit resource building. Upon donating you can specify the area toward which you’d like your funds directed.
Sonoma County Animal Services
The Sonoma County Animal Services has opened an Animal Welfare Fund to provide medical care, food, and water to the thousands of displaced animals in the county. Donations will help continue these services; they’ll also help to purchase veterinary supplies for those providing the care.
Redwood Empire Food Bank
Since 1987 the Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) has been working to alleviate issues surrounding food insecurities and malnourishment from Sonoma County up to the Oregon border, making it the largest hunger relief organization serving north coastal California. The REFB is currently providing food support to those displaced by the fires, as well as working to maintain its day-to-day efforts. Monetary donations will help volunteers increase the amount of food provided. The organization is also accepting non-perishable, easy-to-eat foods that can immediately be sent to the evacuation shelters.
All Faiths Food Bank
Based in Sarasota, this regional food bank consistently provides food to underserved communities, and is currently mobilizing to respond to Irma. They are a worthy destination for a donation, and will also need volunteers.
Feeding South Florida
While traditionally focused on nourishing vulnerable families and kids, Feeding South Florida will be mobilizing for disaster response this week, as they are a staging site for FEMA. They have a massive storage warehouse, and will be working with local food banks to distribute as needed.
Humane Society of Greater Miami
The Miami outpost of the Humane Society will need help, including money and supplies, as they will likely be inundated with misplaced pets, and will need to accommodate as many animals as they can.
Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
After fielding a massive amount of incoming calls looking for ways to substantially help Houston, Mayor Sylvester Turner and County Judge Ed Emmett established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, which will provide ongoing support and disaster relief.
Houston Food Bank
The Houston Food Bank is playing a critical role in delivering sustenance—a $1 donation provides three meals—to residents who have been displaced post-Harvey, including families and children who are already vulnerable. They are also accepting volunteers, you can sign up for shifts on their website.
Texas Diaper Bank
This local agency delivers wipes, diapers, and other baby essentials to vulnerable families and elders. They are looking for diaper and wipe donations, as well as volunteers to help distribute the mass of diapers that came in post-Harvey.
Best Friends Animal Society
This local animal shelter is working tirelessly to reconnect displaced pets with their owners (you can search a database on their site), as well as to continue to support homeless animals. They have a specific fund devoted to Hurricane Harvey.
BeyGOOD Houston
A Houston native, Beyoncé is working with a handful of trusted local charities to provide those displaced by Hurricane Harvey with meals and essentials like feminine products, diapers, wheelchairs, bedding, and more.
The Montrose Center
Focused on the LGBTQ community, The Montrose Center created an LGBTQ Disaster Relief Fund will to help residents rebuild their lives. They provide counseling, case management, food, furniture, shelter, and more.
Coastal Bend Food Bank
Formerly known as the Corpus Christi Food Bank, this organization has consistently nourished the areas most vulnerable citizens. They have mobilized extensively for Hurricane Harvey victims and are actively seeking donations and volunteers.
Puerto RicoUnited for Puerto Rico
Beatriz Rosselló, the First Lady of Puerto Rico, collaborated with the private sector to bring this initiative to fruition, creating three designated help centers on the island. Donations can be made via phone or online.
Generosity
Managed by the non-profit organization ConPRmetidos, donations from this charity will first go toward supplying affected inhabitants with food, shelter, water and other immediate needs–and then will focus on long-term recovery efforts.
Puerto Ricans in Action
Tangent to the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Fund, this effort involves entities in both Los Angeles and Puerto Rico that are working together to help rebuild the nations’s devastated areas, while providing immediate essentials to those affected.
The CaribbeanHalo Foundation
Focused on Barbuda, which was almost completely destroyed by Irma (90-95 percent of buildings are damaged), leaving nearly all of the population homeless.
SPCA International
When natural disaster strikes, many family pets are separated by their families—between that and homeless animals who need help, shelters are typically overrun. This international organization provides emergency aid to shelters and rescue groups to help them move and harbor animals safely.
St. John Community Foundation
St. John was hit incredibly hard by the hurricane (the island hospital lost its roof, forcing the evacuation of patients), and many residents expect it may take months to restore power. It is difficult for outside aid agencies to reach them currently, so this is a good place to start.
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
This philanthropy center focuses on medium, and long-term rebuilding efforts in order to sustain the period of giving, as many immediate response agencies are flooded with donations.
Save the Children
This international charity focuses on disadvantaged and disenfranchised children and families, i.e., those who are the most vulnerable during times of crisis.
OXFAM
Oxfam has been working in the Caribbean for 30 years, and is working particularly hard on issues like safe water and sanitation.
UNICEF
Specifically focused on vulnerable children, UNICEF works to ensure that there is safe water and shelter, as well as ongoing access to health services and education post-disaster.
St. John Rescue Inc.
This GoFundMe has been organized by the citizens of St. John’s, specifically for the St. John Rescue. The all-volunteer organization is chartered to provide emergency rescue and medical support services to St. John EMS, Police, Fire, National Park Service, VITEMA, and DPNR. They also do vehicle and structure stabilization, extrication, triage, Jaws of Life, portable AED, oxygen kits and island wide communication systems. At a minimum, all responding members are Certified Emergency Medical First Responders.
21 US Virgin Island Relief Fund
Organized by basketball player Tim Duncan, who was 13-years-old when Hurricane Hugo destroyed his community in the Virgin Islands. He will match all donations up to $1,000,000.
Habitat for Humanity
This international nonprofit organization focuses on assessing damage in disaster zones, rebuilding, and getting displaced families into safe housing as fast as possible.
Mexico Earthquakes Topos
Spearheaded in 1985 after Mexico suffered a devastating earthquake, this non-profit force delivers rescue teams, many which consist of first responders, to areas in need after a natural disaster hits. The organization is run solely by volunteers–clad in distinct red uniforms–who have received official training.
Crowdrise: Support UNICEF's Relief Efforts in Mexico
Actress and humanitarian Salma Hayek is raising funds via Crowdrise, a global fundraising platform, in effort to provide aid to those who’ve suffered from recent natural disasters in her home country. Hayek will personally match the first $100,000 raised to help fund UNICEF’s relief efforts, which has active response teams on the ground.
Project Paz
Founded in 2010 in NYC by a group of friends linked by their Mexican roots, this organization aims to help children affected by drug-related violence in Mexico–and it’s now extending its efforts to the nation’s youth who’ve been affected by the recent natural disasters.
Cruz Roja Mexicana
The Mexican Red Cross is on site, working day in and day out, to help victims of either recent earthquake that caused major destruction in several states of the Mexican Republic. Monetary donations can be made online–and the organization has set up an Amazon Wish list as a way to garner needed supplies.
Napa and Sonoma Counties WildfiresMarin Humane
The Marin Human society helps more than 10,000 animals annually via its shelter and foster programs. It has extended its boarding facilities to fire victims who need emergency temporary homes for their pets. It’s also lending its man power to assist the Marin Civic Center and other local organizations that are collaborating in relief efforts. Monetary donations will help support these endeavors.
The Anova Phoenix Campaign
The campus of Anova–Sonoma County’s only non-profit school that provides educational, behavioral, and therapy for autistic children–was destroyed, leaving more than 100 students, ages 5 to 22, without a school. Monetary donations will go toward helping the school rebuild, as well as providing transitional programs in the interim. Additionally, the school recently raised $75,000 for a new playground structure that burned to the ground several days after it was delivered. All support will help the school and its students move forward.
Sonoma County Resilience Fund
The Community Foundation Sonoma County has launched the Sonoma County Resilience Fund to support mid- and long-term recovery needs of the region. Monetary donations will help fund a variety of community rebuilding essentials including support for renters, animal welfare, case management services, and non-profit resource building. Upon donating you can specify the area toward which you’d like your funds directed.
Sonoma County Animal Services
The Sonoma County Animal Services has opened an Animal Welfare Fund to provide medical care, food, and water to the thousands of displaced animals in the county. Donations will help continue these services; they’ll also help to purchase veterinary supplies for those providing the care.
Redwood Empire Food Bank
Since 1987 the Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) has been working to alleviate issues surrounding food insecurities and malnourishment from Sonoma County up to the Oregon border, making it the largest hunger relief organization serving north coastal California. The REFB is currently providing food support to those displaced by the fires, as well as working to maintain its day-to-day efforts. Monetary donations will help volunteers increase the amount of food provided. The organization is also accepting non-perishable, easy-to-eat foods that can immediately be sent to the evacuation shelters.
United for Puerto Rico
Beatriz Rosselló, the First Lady of Puerto Rico, collaborated with the private sector to bring this initiative to fruition, creating three designated help centers on the island. Donations can be made via phone or online.
Generosity
Managed by the non-profit organization ConPRmetidos, donations from this charity will first go toward supplying affected inhabitants with food, shelter, water and other immediate needs–and then will focus on long-term recovery efforts.
Puerto Ricans in Action
Tangent to the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Fund, this effort involves entities in both Los Angeles and Puerto Rico that are working together to help rebuild the nations’s devastated areas, while providing immediate essentials to those affected.
Halo Foundation
Focused on Barbuda, which was almost completely destroyed by Irma (90-95 percent of buildings are damaged), leaving nearly all of the population homeless.
SPCA International
When natural disaster strikes, many family pets are separated by their families—between that and homeless animals who need help, shelters are typically overrun. This international organization provides emergency aid to shelters and rescue groups to help them move and harbor animals safely.
St. John Community Foundation
St. John was hit incredibly hard by the hurricane (the island hospital lost its roof, forcing the evacuation of patients), and many residents expect it may take months to restore power. It is difficult for outside aid agencies to reach them currently, so this is a good place to start.
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
This philanthropy center focuses on medium, and long-term rebuilding efforts in order to sustain the period of giving, as many immediate response agencies are flooded with donations.
Save the Children
This international charity focuses on disadvantaged and disenfranchised children and families, i.e., those who are the most vulnerable during times of crisis.
OXFAM
Oxfam has been working in the Caribbean for 30 years, and is working particularly hard on issues like safe water and sanitation.
UNICEF
Specifically focused on vulnerable children, UNICEF works to ensure that there is safe water and shelter, as well as ongoing access to health services and education post-disaster.
St. John Rescue Inc.
This GoFundMe has been organized by the citizens of St. John’s, specifically for the St. John Rescue. The all-volunteer organization is chartered to provide emergency rescue and medical support services to St. John EMS, Police, Fire, National Park Service, VITEMA, and DPNR. They also do vehicle and structure stabilization, extrication, triage, Jaws of Life, portable AED, oxygen kits and island wide communication systems. At a minimum, all responding members are Certified Emergency Medical First Responders.
21 US Virgin Island Relief Fund
Organized by basketball player Tim Duncan, who was 13-years-old when Hurricane Hugo destroyed his community in the Virgin Islands. He will match all donations up to $1,000,000.
Habitat for Humanity
This international nonprofit organization focuses on assessing damage in disaster zones, rebuilding, and getting displaced families into safe housing as fast as possible.
Mexico Earthquakes Topos
Spearheaded in 1985 after Mexico suffered a devastating earthquake, this non-profit force delivers rescue teams, many which consist of first responders, to areas in need after a natural disaster hits. The organization is run solely by volunteers–clad in distinct red uniforms–who have received official training.
Crowdrise: Support UNICEF's Relief Efforts in Mexico
Actress and humanitarian Salma Hayek is raising funds via Crowdrise, a global fundraising platform, in effort to provide aid to those who’ve suffered from recent natural disasters in her home country. Hayek will personally match the first $100,000 raised to help fund UNICEF’s relief efforts, which has active response teams on the ground.
Project Paz
Founded in 2010 in NYC by a group of friends linked by their Mexican roots, this organization aims to help children affected by drug-related violence in Mexico–and it’s now extending its efforts to the nation’s youth who’ve been affected by the recent natural disasters.
Cruz Roja Mexicana
The Mexican Red Cross is on site, working day in and day out, to help victims of either recent earthquake that caused major destruction in several states of the Mexican Republic. Monetary donations can be made online–and the organization has set up an Amazon Wish list as a way to garner needed supplies.
Napa and Sonoma Counties WildfiresMarin Humane
The Marin Human society helps more than 10,000 animals annually via its shelter and foster programs. It has extended its boarding facilities to fire victims who need emergency temporary homes for their pets. It’s also lending its man power to assist the Marin Civic Center and other local organizations that are collaborating in relief efforts. Monetary donations will help support these endeavors.
The Anova Phoenix Campaign
The campus of Anova–Sonoma County’s only non-profit school that provides educational, behavioral, and therapy for autistic children–was destroyed, leaving more than 100 students, ages 5 to 22, without a school. Monetary donations will go toward helping the school rebuild, as well as providing transitional programs in the interim. Additionally, the school recently raised $75,000 for a new playground structure that burned to the ground several days after it was delivered. All support will help the school and its students move forward.
Sonoma County Resilience Fund
The Community Foundation Sonoma County has launched the Sonoma County Resilience Fund to support mid- and long-term recovery needs of the region. Monetary donations will help fund a variety of community rebuilding essentials including support for renters, animal welfare, case management services, and non-profit resource building. Upon donating you can specify the area toward which you’d like your funds directed.
Sonoma County Animal Services
The Sonoma County Animal Services has opened an Animal Welfare Fund to provide medical care, food, and water to the thousands of displaced animals in the county. Donations will help continue these services; they’ll also help to purchase veterinary supplies for those providing the care.
Redwood Empire Food Bank
Since 1987 the Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) has been working to alleviate issues surrounding food insecurities and malnourishment from Sonoma County up to the Oregon border, making it the largest hunger relief organization serving north coastal California. The REFB is currently providing food support to those displaced by the fires, as well as working to maintain its day-to-day efforts. Monetary donations will help volunteers increase the amount of food provided. The organization is also accepting non-perishable, easy-to-eat foods that can immediately be sent to the evacuation shelters.
Topos
Spearheaded in 1985 after Mexico suffered a devastating earthquake, this non-profit force delivers rescue teams, many which consist of first responders, to areas in need after a natural disaster hits. The organization is run solely by volunteers–clad in distinct red uniforms–who have received official training.
Crowdrise: Support UNICEF's Relief Efforts in Mexico
Actress and humanitarian Salma Hayek is raising funds via Crowdrise, a global fundraising platform, in effort to provide aid to those who’ve suffered from recent natural disasters in her home country. Hayek will personally match the first $100,000 raised to help fund UNICEF’s relief efforts, which has active response teams on the ground.
Project Paz
Founded in 2010 in NYC by a group of friends linked by their Mexican roots, this organization aims to help children affected by drug-related violence in Mexico–and it’s now extending its efforts to the nation’s youth who’ve been affected by the recent natural disasters.
Cruz Roja Mexicana
The Mexican Red Cross is on site, working day in and day out, to help victims of either recent earthquake that caused major destruction in several states of the Mexican Republic. Monetary donations can be made online–and the organization has set up an Amazon Wish list as a way to garner needed supplies.
Marin Humane
The Marin Human society helps more than 10,000 animals annually via its shelter and foster programs. It has extended its boarding facilities to fire victims who need emergency temporary homes for their pets. It’s also lending its man power to assist the Marin Civic Center and other local organizations that are collaborating in relief efforts. Monetary donations will help support these endeavors.
The Anova Phoenix Campaign
The campus of Anova–Sonoma County’s only non-profit school that provides educational, behavioral, and therapy for autistic children–was destroyed, leaving more than 100 students, ages 5 to 22, without a school. Monetary donations will go toward helping the school rebuild, as well as providing transitional programs in the interim. Additionally, the school recently raised $75,000 for a new playground structure that burned to the ground several days after it was delivered. All support will help the school and its students move forward.
Sonoma County Resilience Fund
The Community Foundation Sonoma County has launched the Sonoma County Resilience Fund to support mid- and long-term recovery needs of the region. Monetary donations will help fund a variety of community rebuilding essentials including support for renters, animal welfare, case management services, and non-profit resource building. Upon donating you can specify the area toward which you’d like your funds directed.
Sonoma County Animal Services
The Sonoma County Animal Services has opened an Animal Welfare Fund to provide medical care, food, and water to the thousands of displaced animals in the county. Donations will help continue these services; they’ll also help to purchase veterinary supplies for those providing the care.
Redwood Empire Food Bank
Since 1987 the Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) has been working to alleviate issues surrounding food insecurities and malnourishment from Sonoma County up to the Oregon border, making it the largest hunger relief organization serving north coastal California. The REFB is currently providing food support to those displaced by the fires, as well as working to maintain its day-to-day efforts. Monetary donations will help volunteers increase the amount of food provided. The organization is also accepting non-perishable, easy-to-eat foods that can immediately be sent to the evacuation shelters.
