In the wake of Hurricane Dorian, nonprofit agencies are rushing to deal with the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the Bahamas.
Dorian, the strongest storm on record to hit the Bahamas, caused catastrophic flooding and the death toll on the islands is expected to rise.
If you are looking for ways you can help, take a look at the list of charities below (in alphabetical order).
Before you give to any of these organizations or others, do your homework. The Federal Trade Commission has tips on how to help choose charities and avoid scams. One red flag is if someone asks to be paid in cash or by gift card. You can find organizations that offer reports and ratings on how charities spend their donations here.
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All Hands & Hearts
All Hands and Hearts works to address the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters. They deploy volunteers to help build safer, more resilient schools, homes and infrastructure.
You can fill out an application to become a volunteer or donate toward their hurricane relief response efforts.
U.S. & World
Americares
Americares is matching donations dollar-for-dollar to send twice the lifesaving aid and supplies to families affected by Hurricane Dorian.
Bstrong
"Real Housewives of New York" star Bethenny Frankel announced Monday that her organization bstrong, a disaster relief initiative that provides real time emergency assistance to individuals and their families in crisis, is mobilizing to help victims of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas.
Frankel, who has also been involved in relief efforts in Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and more recently in the Amazon rainforest, said in an Instagram post Tuesday that her organization is providing "crucial supplies, immediate medical support, and helping to evacuate those who weren’t able to leave their homes before the storm." You can donate by clicking here.
Caring for the Bahamas
On The Upwind Flying Club will be flying much needed goods and supplies to the Bahamas once the airports reopen.
Check their supply list to see what's needed. You can ship items bought on Amazon directly to the planes.
Upwind Flying Club
6530 Tampa Executive Airport Rd
Tampa, FL 33610
They're also accepting donations via GoFundMe.
Children's Hunger Fund
CHF is accepting financial gifts to allow their partners on the ground to respond swiftly to the needs of children and families impacted by the force of the hurricane.
To donate emergency relief items, please contact Children's Hunger Fund headquarters at 800.708.7589
Coast Guard Foundation
Coast Guard members, the first responders to natural disasters, are also impacted. The Coast Guard Foundation’s Disaster Relief and Response Fund helps provide support to Coast Guard families when they need it most.
Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)
Sean Penn's charitable organization formerly known as J/P HRO is activating quickly with their partners at World Central Kitchen and Direct Relief to provide emergency shelter, water, medical supplies and food for communities in immediate need.
100% of donations to this effort will go toward saving and rebuilding Bahamanians' lives.
Coral Vita GoFundMe
Americans Sam Teicher and fellow Yale alumnus Gator Halpern founded a coral restoration company called Coral Vita, which this summer opened the world's first land-based commercial coral farm in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Teicher told The New York Times that the farm was destroyed by Dorian. For now, the Coral Vita team has started a GoFundMe to purchase and deliver emergency supplies to local families in the Bahamas.
Direct Relief
Direct Relief is delivering medical aid to affected areas, and additional emergency medical caches are being routed to the Bahamas from Florida and Direct Relief's main distribution hub in the U.S.
Global Giving
Global Giving has a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator and is accredited by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
They're accepting donations for emergency disaster relief and long-term recovery support.
Good360
Good360 partners with socially responsible companies to source highly needed goods and distribute them through its network of nonprofits that support people in need.
For every $1 donated, Good360 can distribute at least $10 in needed goods.
Heart to Heart International
HHI deployed an advance team on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2019, to respond to Hurricane Dorian. The team includes the Mobile Medical Unit (an urgent care facility on wheels), two support vehicles and four logistics experts. The team includes an EMT and a nurse who is also an HHI disaster response intern. The mobile medical unit is stocked with medicines, tetanus vaccines and medical supplies as well as hygiene kits, water and supplies for those affected by the storm.
Donations support the response team and allow them to provide medical care and aid distribution.
International Medical Corps
The worldwide humanitarian nonprofit focuses on deploying emergency responders and early relief efforts.
International Relief Teams
The International Relief Teams prepositioned more than 1,000 disaster health kits to Florida and is standing by to see what other assistance the teams can provide in the storm's aftermath.
Matthew 25: Ministries
Monetary Donations: Donate online or mail checks to:
Matthew 25: Ministries
11060 Kenwood Road
Cincinnati, OH 45242
(100% of donated funds designated for Hurricane Dorian will be used for the purpose intended)
Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is mobilizing a team of emergency responders — which includes members from their Puerto Rico team — to the Bahamas to begin rapidly determining the most pressing needs.
Project Hope
Project Hope is sending volunteers and arming health care professionals with medicines, supplies and training to help sick and injured people, wherever the need is greatest.
94% of funds go to their programs. 6% support administration and fundraising.
Red Cross
Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word DORIAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. This includes providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance.
They also urge eligible individuals in parts of the country unaffected by the storm to roll up a sleeve and donate blood.
SBP
SBP is accepting applications for volunteers to assist impacted homeowners with debris clearance, muck and gut, and mold remediation. Donations are also accepted to help with various needs.
$50 - Buys protective equipment for three volunteers
$100 - Buys mucking & gutting supplies for 10 volunteers
$500 - Buys new flooring for flooded homes
$1,000 - Funds mold treatment for one house
Sol Relief
Sol Relief is asking experienced pilots to volunteer their time flying supplies and people in and out of affected areas. You can fill out a Volunteer Pilot Application here.
They are also accepting monetary donations and the following supplies:
- Generators
- Extension Cords
- Work Glove
- Chainsaws & Chains
- Chainsaw Bar Oil
- Gas Cans
- Duct Tape
- Tarps
- Hammers & Nails
- Battery Operated Fans
- Batteries
- Flashlights
- Bug Spray
- Mosquito Nets
- Unused Blankets
- Cleaning Supplies
- Nonperishable Food
- Hygiene Products
- Baby Supplies
- Pet Food
- OTC Medical Supplies
- Solar Phone Chargers
- Phone Battery Packs
- Cleaning Products
- Trash Bags
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Sunscreen
- Camping Lights (Solar & Battery Powered)
Supplies can be delivered to St. Pete Air at 107 8th Ave SE, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701, during normal business hours.
Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon is an international disaster relief nonprofit organization made up of military veterans and first responders who do everything from rebuilding houses to clearing debris and helping organize large groups of volunteers.
Water Mission
Water Mission is preparing to provide emergency safe water solutions to communities impacted by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas. 100% of donations will provide safe water for people affected by the disaster.
World Central Kitchen
Founded by D.C. chef and restaurateur José Andrés, World Central Kitchen will be setting up kitchens once Hurricane Dorian has moved further north in order to bring food to people in affected areas. Andrés is already in the Bahamas, about 80 miles from the eye of the storm, working to feed people there.
World Vision
World Vision asks that people pray for those affected by tropical storms and hurricanes. Almighty Father, we ask for Your care and protection for people affected by destructive winds and floods. Give them the assurance of Your presence and equip those who will provide relief and assistance after the storm passes.
Beyond that, you can donate money to help World Vision provide food, water, hygiene and other basic relief items, including clean-up supplies and toys.
