During these difficult times, we—as human beings and Americans—want to help those communities affected by Hurricane Harvey. One question my clients are asking me is: which local organizations will be best stewards of our contributions? Here’s a list of organizations I’ve compiled over the last few days. They are all Texas-based & providing direct services to those affected by the catastrophic floods.
- Greater Houston Community Foundation– Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
- Rotary International– Several Districts (groups of Clubs) along the Gulf Coast have established disaster relief funds
- Texas Diaper Bank
- Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster– A list of registered volunteer organizations that respond to disasters in Texas (click on your preferred organization to learn about its Harvey response)
- Portlight– Provides inclusive disaster relief/support for people with disabilities and provided services during Katrina & Sandy
- Food Banks: Please send cash, not food
- Animal and Pet Support
As you work with your local communities, please remember that despite your best intentions, this is not the time to send donations of clothing, furniture, and household items. Organizations cannot accept, sort, and distribute these items, and donations like these can overwhelm rather than support. (One exception: If your place of worship or other organization/association already has a reciprocal relationship established with a local Texas-based place of worship/organization, and they request these items, then it is okay.)
What organizations need most right now is cash to purchase supplies, pay overtime, feed volunteers, and manage the logistics of the services they are providing.
The organizations listed are a sampling of organizations helping in relief efforts. I’m listing them here not as an endorsement, but as a guide to help you in your disaster-giving decisions.
As with any disaster of this scale, recovery and rebuilding efforts are going to take years. Organizations need our long-term as well as immediate support.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Questions? As always, please let me know how I may help,
Suzanne
Want more info? For more on responding to floods and 8 principles for good disaster grantmaking, see my October 2013 blog post Water, Water Everywhere: How to Give in Times of Disaster.
