Wise Giving Wednesday: Donations for Hurricane Irma Relief
The impact on Hurricane Irma on Florida is staggering - damaged homes, downed trees, blocked roads and an estimated two-thirds of the state without power. It is hard to believe that less than two weeks after the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey in Texas, we are again heart-stricken by the pain and suffering from another huge storm, larger than anyone would have imagined.
BBB Wise Giving Alliance again urges donors to review our disaster relief donation tips to avoid being taken by questionable efforts to raise funds and ensure that charities that receive contributions will be able to follow-through to serve those needing assistance in impacted areas. And watch out for promotional claims that 100 percent of collected funds will be assisting hurricane victims, the truth is that the charity is still probably incurring fund raising and administrative expenses. It may use some of its other funds to pay these costs, but these expenses will still be incurred.
To assist contributors in making these choices, the following charities are soliciting for some aspect of assistance to help the communities hurt by the storm. All of these charities were found to meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. This list will be updated as additional efforts come to our attention. As we noted with Hurricane Harvey, the charitable needs of Hurricane Irma victims will not disappear when the headlines do, so keep hurricane assistance in mind not only for immediate relief needs but for longer term recovery efforts as well.
ALS Association / Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association
ASPCA / American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Episcopal Relief and Development
Helping Hand for Relief and Development
Humane Society of the United States
United Methodist Committee on Relief
As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide the following video that features Scott Case, Chair of the Board of Network for Good (a BBB Accredited Charity). Network for Good enables donors to make online contributions to charities and offers charities training in online fundraising.
Finally, remember to let us know by going to https://give.org/ask-us-about-a-charity1/ if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.
H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance