Donating to Address the Extreme Heat

As reported in USA Today, more than 91 million people across 15 states were under heat warnings this week as temperatures continue to soar, with many areas experiencing a heat index temperature above 105 degrees. The extreme heat is not only breaking records but will endanger lives. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports an average of 702 heat-related deaths occur each year, along with 67,512 emergency department visits and 9,235 hospitalizations due to heat. Some donors may seek to help those who are most vulnerable.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following giving tips to help donors identify giving options during the heat wave.

1. Help families needing food. As reported by Feeding America (a BBB Accredited Charity) more than 34 million people, including 9 million children in the United States, are food insecure. More families may reach out to their local food banks for support during these times. The heat wave may also put stress on the volunteers available for distribution. Contact your local food bank to help identify their needs.  
2. Assist the homeless. When temperatures approach 100 degrees, the homeless become particularly vulnerable. Homeless shelters in your area may provide cooling relief and may need other basic necessities, such as bottled water and sunscreen.
3. Review heat safety advice. The U.S. government has a website, Ready.gov the includes a special page on handling extreme heat that provides tips on recognizing the signs of heat illness and how to help reduce temperatures in your home. Although some of this advice, such as staying hydrated, is common sense, heat strokes can be life-threatening.
4. Help Canadians addressing wildfires. Dry, heated conditions sparked wildfires in Western Canada that are also impacting air quality in parts of the U.S. People might consider donating to Canadian charities that are assisting first responders, displaced Canadians, and other associated issues.  Check with the Canada Revenue Agency to find out if a charity is properly registered.
5. Support environmental groups that meet BBB Charity Standards.  To help you find trustworthy charities to support, consider the following list of environmental organizations that currently meet all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability (i.e., BBB Accredited Charities).

Alaska Wilderness League

American Rivers

Appalachian Trail Conservancy 

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Earth Justice

Earthwatch Institute

Earthworks

Environmental Defense Fund

Equine Land Conservation Resource 

Friends of the Earth

Grand Canyon Trust

Greater Yellowstone Coalition

Land Trust Alliance

National Arbor Day Foundation

National Audubon Society

National Forest Foundation

National Parks Conservation Association

National Wildlife Federation

Nature Conservancy 

Ocean Conservancy

One Percent for the Planet

Pacific Crest Trail Association

Plant With Purpose

Planet Aid

Project WET Foundation

Rails to Trails Conservancy

Rainforest Action Network

River Network

Scenic America

Solar Cookers International

Sierra Club Foundation

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

Trust for Public Land

Union of Concerned Scientists

Waterkeeper Alliance

Wilderness Society

World Wildlife Fund

Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

Heart of Giving Podcast

In this week’s Heart of Giving Podcast, BBB Wise Giving Alliance features a discussion with Jacob Harold, a social change strategist and executive. He served as CEO of GuideStar, co-founder of CANDID, and as a staff leader at the Hewlett Foundation, Bridgespan, Greenpeace and Rainforest Action Network.