Partnering for Hurricane Relief: How Nonprofits and Donors Can Work Together Post-Helene and Milton

How can you help after a disaster, like the devastating Hurricanes Helene and Milton? Whether you’re a concerned citizen (read “Dear Donors”) or a nonprofit (read “Dear Nonprofits”) who wants to help, follow these crucial steps and partner with trusted, well-established organizations.

Dear Donors:

What do you want your legacy to be after these (and future) disasters? Whether you, your family, your company, your church, or any other group steps up to help, it’s always important to be mindful of how you help. Especially in disasters, sometimes helping hurts. Know before you go.

The sheer scale of destruction caused by the hurricanes created urgent needs, but they also opened the door for scammers looking to exploit the public’s generosity. Plus, you want to make sure your gifts make the biggest impact. With careful planning and a commitment to strategic giving, you can ensure that your contribution has a real and lasting impact.

1. Plan Your Gift Based on Actual Needs

Will you share physical items (A.K.A. in-kind goods) or cash donations? Will you volunteer? Will you provide your special skills (such as navigating insurance claims; A.K.A. in-kind services)? Whatever you do, make sure it’s thought out and aligns with the present needs of the community you look to serve.

Check reputable, local media sources as they often list what a community needs after a disaster. Also, check with reputable disaster intervention agencies (nonprofit and government) to know how to help. When in doubt, most municipalities operate a 3-1-1 call service to help coordinate donations and volunteers. Check locally for the most relevant phone number to call. If the municipality doesn’t operate 3-1-1, then try 2-1-1.

For example, a company donated more than 10,000 bottles of baby food after Hurricane Maria. Sounds great! Except… the food was expired. So the company not only wasted the nonprofit’s shipping costs (which the nonprofit was on the line for) but also the nonprofit’s time coordinating volunteers to manually empty the expired baby food. Apparently, you can’t just take several pallets of expired goods to the dump!

So, be mindful of how you help. One last thing: nonprofits can often spread money farther than you can. So before you run off to your local superstore to pick up a few dozen paper towels, know that many nonprofits could probably get more paper towels by working with the vendor directly. Plus, while you might think they need paper towels (the nonprofit might even be asking for them!) the nonprofit might have other needs. I always tend to donate cash if I’m planning to buy physical goods.

2. Research Before You Give

Before donating, ensure you’re supporting a legitimate charity. Trusted platforms like Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance can provide insight into the financial health, transparency, and accountability of various organizations. Established disaster relief nonprofits will have accreditation and a strong track record for disaster response, so avoid giving to new or unverified organizations.

Verify that the charity has provided clear contact details, including a physical address, phone number, and email. When in doubt, reach out directly to confirm legitimacy. Be cautious of copycat organizations that use names and URLs similar to well-known charities.

3. Avoid High-Pressure Tactics

Scammers often create urgency to capitalize on emotions, pushing people to donate quickly without much information. Legitimate organizations will never pressure you for immediate donations. If an organization emphasizes emotional appeal without offering clear details on how funds will be used, pause before committing.

4. Donate Securely

Whenever possible, donate directly through the charity’s official website, ensuring that the URL begins with “https” to indicate a secure connection. Credit cards or reputable payment platforms like PayPal are the safest methods for transactions. Avoid using wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, as these methods are difficult to track and often preferred by scammers.

5. Crowdfunding Caution

Personal crowdfunding campaigns can be heartfelt, but they often lack the accountability of registered nonprofits. If donating through platforms like GoFundMe, only contribute to campaigns where you know the individuals or causes directly. Whenever possible, select campaigns that are verified by trusted organizations. Unfortunately, too often crowdfunding campaigns are started by scammers. 

6. Seek Financial Transparency

Legitimate charities provide detailed financial reports showing how they use donations. A red flag is any charity that lacks transparency or cannot explain how it will allocate funds. The best organizations will offer breakdowns of administrative costs versus direct aid, ensuring that your money goes where it’s needed most. In general, we recommend organizations with lower than 15% of administrative and fundraising expenses. However, don’t get too hung up on this percentage because “creative accounting” can change that number wildly.

7. Report Suspicious Activity

If you suspect fraud, report it to authorities like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Crowdfunding and social media platforms also offer ways to flag suspicious campaigns.

Dear Nonprofits:

What’s the story? How has your community been impacted by the disasters? The story you craft leads your audience to act.

Even nonprofits that do not specialize in disaster relief can provide meaningful support in a time of crisis. Your organization might have been directly impacted by a disaster. There are several avenues for engagement:

1. Fundraising and Resource Mobilization
Non-disaster relief nonprofits can raise funds or collect in-kind donations like hygiene kits, baby supplies, and clothing. Corporate partnerships can help amplify these efforts, with many businesses offering matching donations or providing essential goods.

2. Volunteering and Staff Mobilization
Nonprofits can mobilize volunteers to assist with relief efforts, such as organizing shelters or distributing food. Those with specific skills, such as counseling or legal expertise, can offer these services to survivors.

3. Temporary Shifts in Programming
Organizations with physical spaces or vehicles can offer them as temporary shelters or distribution centers. Some may also provide emergency grants or shift their educational programs to focus on disaster recovery, like offering assistance with FEMA applications.

4. Community Outreach and Mental Health Support
Nonprofits with community ties can raise awareness about the needs of disaster victims, connecting them with resources. Mental health-focused organizations can offer trauma counseling or support groups, while others may host community healing events like mindfulness sessions.

5. Long-Term Recovery and Advocacy
Recovery doesn’t end once the immediate crisis subsides. Nonprofits specializing in housing, education, or employment can play a critical role in long-term rebuilding efforts. Advocacy groups can also lobby for policies that support survivors, such as securing additional government relief or assistance with insurance claims. Consider joining (or starting) a local Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG).

6. Specialized Assistance Based on Mission
Nonprofits that focus on specific groups, such as veterans or individuals with disabilities, can tailor their services to help these populations access disaster relief. Others, like those focused on youth, may offer childcare or after-school programs to support families during recovery.

7. Collaboration with Relief Organizations
Nonprofits can form partnerships with established disaster relief groups, offering their resources, expertise, and networks to amplify impact. Whether it’s logistical support, fundraising, or administrative assistance, every contribution helps.

Tell Your Story

Whichever way you help, be sure to share this story with past and current donors. This is the time for them to come to your aid. Shifting program focus to help in a disaster—even if only temporarily—takes resources and agility that your community wants to help you enact.

What will be your legacy on these (and future) disasters? Did you adjust to be relevant to your evolving community needs? Did you lose a building or vehicle due to storm damage? Did you innovate a new program because of the crisis? Record what you do and tell your story throughout every stage of disaster management. Storytelling in the right way can propel your mission at critical times.

Dear Helpers and Heroes:

Community leaders of all kinds have an important role to play in helping communities recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Whether raising funds, providing direct services, or offering emotional support, they can mobilize their resources and expertise to ensure survivors get the help they need. By taking the necessary precautions and supporting legitimate charities, you can ensure your donation makes a real difference in the lives of those affected by the storms.

As with any charitable action, proceed with the right information (data) and strategic decision-making. Consider the legacy you want to leave tomorrow so you can act mindfully, responsively, responsibly, and safely today.

This article was produced by The Nonprofit Atlas. Please email Hello@TheNonprofitAtlas.com for proper citation information should you wish to reference our work.