Trusted Hurricane Relief Charities: Where to Donate After Hurricane Melissa

Looking to support trusted charities for Hurricane Melissa relief? You’ve come to the right place.

BBB Accredited Charities Responding to Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, the most powerful hurricane ever to strike the island. The storm caused significant flooding, widespread damage, blocked roads, and landslides. One hospital was damaged and evacuated, and hundreds of thousands remain without power, with many communities still inaccessible. While a complete assessment is not yet available, trusted charities are already working tirelessly to deliver Hurricane Melissa relief. The following organizations are BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability) that are currently collecting funds in preparation for hurricane Melissa. Additional BBB Accredited Charities will be added as we learn about their earthquake-related activities.

How to Give Wisely After a Hurricane

We offer these tips to help you support trusted charities for Hurricane Melissa relief:

• Give to Experienced Groups: Support experienced organizations that stand ready to provide quick and effective assistance. Be cautious of new organizations that appear overnight following a disaster, as they may lack the capacity or experience to follow through on their promises.
• Check for On-the-Ground Presence: Find out whether the charity already has staff or partners in the affected areas. Organizations with an existing local presence are often able to respond more quickly and effectively than those bringing in new teams.
• Give Money Rather Than Goods, especially overseas: Cash donations are often the quickest and most effective way to help. They allow relief organizations to pursue what’s most needed efficiently. While donating food, clothing, or supplies is generous, these items can be difficult to store and distribute unless the organization specifically requests them.
• Look for Appeal Clarity: Choose appeals that are upfront and transparent about what your donation supports. When disaster relief solicitations sound urgent but provide little detail about how funds will be used, don’t feel pressured to give.
• Be Wary of “100 Percent” Claims: Be skeptical of claims that 100 percent of your donation will go directly to programs or victims. Even legitimate organizations incur administrative and operational expenses. Transparency about these costs is a sign of good management, not inefficiency.
• Understanding Crowdfunding: If you choose to give through crowdfunding, it is safest to contribute to campaigns organized by people or groups you know and trust. Review the platform’s policies and procedures, keeping in mind that while some crowdfunding sites take measures to vet posts, others don’t.
• Rely on Expert Opinion: Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity. Give.org recommends giving to charities that meet all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

Why Give.org Is Your Trusted Resource

When disasters strike, it’s more important than ever to give with confidence. That’s where Give.org, the site of BBB Wise Giving Alliance, comes in. We evaluate charities against 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability — covering governance, effectiveness, finances, and truthful fundraising practices. Only charities that meet all 20 standards are designated BBB Accredited Charities.

• Learn more about our 20 BBB Charity Standards

We conduct these evaluations independently and at no cost to the charities, so you can trust that our assessments are thorough and impartial. Our mission is to help donors like you make informed, thoughtful giving decisions — especially in moments of crisis.