Journalists have already written many helpful articles about how and where to donate to help victims of Hurricane Harvey, but some key recommendations are worth repeating.
Most importantly, there is an expert consensus that giving money, rather than goods (e.g. clothes, food, etc.), is almost always the best bet for effectively helping disaster victims. If you want to quickly donate to a reputable organization, you can text HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the American Red Cross.
If you want to explore other options, FEMA Administrator Brock Long recommended donating to members of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, which includes a wide range of both national and local organizations working on the Harvey response. This resource also provides a form to offer donations of goods to reputable organizations without interfering with their relief efforts (as donations of goods often do).
Giving Compass, an online resource on effective philanthropy (and a partner of leading academic philanthropy centers) has highlighted two donation targets for Hurricane Harvey relief:
Give to the Relief Fund established to meet the immediate and pressing needs of the Greater Houston community. Community foundations have insight into the most effective local nonprofits in their region, and this is a coordinated public-private response that will be working with the Mayor’s Office.
In addition, donate to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Harvey Recovery Fund, which will focus on the medium and long-term needs of the region and fill critical gaps.
Finally, if you’re interested in more general resources on helping disaster victims, check out GiveWell’s 6 Tips on Disaster Relief Giving and the Center for High Impact Philanthropy’s High Impact Giving Guide on disaster relief.
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