Disaster Giving & Grantmaking

Wildfires, hurricanes and earthquakes have caused devastation both on our shores and beyond. We stand with those affected and have compiled selected resources to help inform effective giving. As we know from past local experience with the Soberanes Fire and Big Sur Relief Funds, effective areas of support include relief, recovery and rebuilding.

How to Give: 4 Areas of Support

When giving in response to a disaster, its important to keep in mind there are several ways to provide assistance.

1. Respond to immediate need
2. Fund recovery
3. Invest in mitigation or reform
4. Get ready for the next one

(Excerpted from: 4 Tips for Donors Responding to Hurricane Harvey by Kris Putnam-Walkerly, Contributor, Forbes 8/28/17)

What to Give

• Money Monetary donations are preferred over material items, which can often go to waste and create difficulties for recovery groups.
  • Look for trusted organizations, like community foundations worldwide, in the affected area, who know the landscape of local nonprofits.
  • Give to organizations with a proven track record and Investigate those you are unfamiliar with to avoid scams. You can visit sites like www.guidestar.org for information.

• Time Research the websites of local organizations who have experience in the area to see where help may be needed most, as needs may change over time.
  • You can also search general volunteer opportunities for non-emergency volunteer opportunities

Where to Give

Northern California Wild Fires

• Shasta Regional Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund to benefit those affected by the #CarrFire
• Community Foundation of Mendocino Community  Disaster Fund
• Red Cross Disaster Relief  This is a general disaster to help people affected by disasters like the California Wildfires. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Funds for Previous Fires

Southern California Wild Fires

Ventura & Southern California Wild Fires

Hurricane Relief

Hurricane Florence

• Central Carolina Community Foundation One SC Fund — The One SC Fund was established by former Governor Nikki Haley after the 2015 Thousand Year Flood to help South Carolinians who are recovering from state-declared emergencies. The fund provides grants to nonprofits that are providing relief, recovery, and/or rebuilding assistance to affected individuals and families. 100 percent of monies donated will go directly to help Hurricane Florence relief efforts.
• North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund — The North Carolina Community Foundation this week reactivated its Disaster Relief Fund to help North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Florence. All funds raised for the NCCF Disaster Relief Fund will go directly to nonprofit organizations serving the needs of local individuals and communities in the impacted areas of North Carolina.
• Foundation for the Carolinas Hurricane Florence Response Fund

Hurricane Harvey

• Greater Houston Community Foundation Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
• Supplies or volunteering (from Greater Houston Community Foundation)
  
• Short term relief: American Red Cross  
• United Way Harvey Recovery Fund (see also Irma) includes links to local United Way funds

Hurricane Irma

• Broward Cares (Community Foundation collaboration)
• Community Foundation of Collier County
• Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Marlin Counties Hurricane Assistance Fund
• Community Foundation of Sarasota Hurricane Irma Relief Fund
• The Miami Foundation  (Relief, Recovery and Caribbean funds)
• Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund

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Hurricane Irma

Mexico Earthquake Relief

Mexico Earthquake Relief

If you have a donor advised fund with the Community Foundation for Monterey County, you can direct a grant to any qualified 501(c)3 nonprofit. You can log on to Donor Central, call 831.375.9712 or email our Philanthropic Services staff with any questions.

Rebuilding After Disaster

In a 2017 Washington Monthly article, Community Foundation for Monterey County CEO Dan Baldwin teamed up with colleagues from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and Arizona Community Foundation to dive into how their organizations responded to disasters, ensuring confidence in relief and recovery grantmaking through the unique abilities of community foundations.

• Rebuilding After Disaster (Washington Monthly)

Updated 7/30/18