Few things impact us more deeply than the powerful photos and heart-wrenching stories of those devastated by natural disasters. Hurricanes Helene and Milton are two recent examples of hard-hit areas needing our support. You may want to help, but where do you start and who should receive your donations?
Look no further than local community foundations. They are established and trustworthy organizations that are ingrained in the communities they serve. Since they are typically geographically focused, they know the best way to get the donations where they are immediately needed — whether it be for medical supplies, shelter, food or unexpected needs brought on by the disaster. They can get money out rapidly to vetted nonprofits who can provide targeted and much-needed assistance to their community.
For example, the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina activated its Emergency Disaster and Response Fund to receive donations immediately after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina. Recognizing that many people didn’t have internet access, they provided multiple ways to connect with them. To date, they’ve distributed more than $4 million to support disaster recovery in this area as they continue to work with other nonprofit organizations in Western North Carolina.
A more localized disaster was the collapse of the Key Bridge. The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel Community (CFAAC) participated in briefings and conversations with government and local officials and contacted the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF), a member of the Maryland Community Foundation Association, to identify needs, determine how we could best meet those needs and offer our support. Because of the strong partnership among our community foundations, CFAAC determined that BCF was the best fit for receiving and distributing funds where they were most needed and referred its donors to BCF to support their efforts.
These examples illustrate just how community foundations are deeply connected to the communities they serve, giving them firsthand knowledge of the needs that arise after a disaster as well as the resources available to address these needs. Community foundations know the nonprofit organizations on the ground and can direct dollars to them short term, intermediate and long term. These partnerships with nonprofits are particularly valuable when several organizations need to collaborate to help the community recover after a disaster.
Contributing directly to a community foundation for disaster relief can also help you to avoid getting scammed because unfortunately, where there are disasters, there are scammers. Donating to reputable organizations such as local community foundations or the Red Cross ensures your funds will be well-managed. Plus, community foundations have built-in protections because they are overseen and held accountable by a board and the communities they serve. Beware of scams, often sent as text messages or emails requesting cash or gift cards. Before responding, verify donation details on the charity’s official website.
Community foundations can provide flexible giving options for its donors of all levels. As community foundation donors or fundholders there are always ways to help, even if they are far from the actual disaster site. People can contribute smaller or one-time donations to the foundation’s disaster relief fund such as the CFAAC Community Crisis Fund or support an unrestricted fund, leaving the organization to allocate the funds where they’re most needed. For larger or more strategic donations, donors might want to consider establishing a Donor Advised Fund, which allows them to guide how their gifts are distributed — including during a disaster. For example, some CFAAC donors have used their Donor Advised Funds to distribute grants earmarked for disaster relief across the country, supporting recovery efforts after events like Hurricane Helene or the wildfires in Maui.
Community foundations like CFAAC are established with a long-term, strategic perspective, so even a donation in response to a disaster contributes to the community’s broader vision and future goals. Unlike charities that offer brief support, community foundations stay engaged. They unite community members and nonprofits, not just for immediate recovery, but to rebuild stronger than ever.
Communities count on community foundations to help them rebuild now and in the future through endowments. Directing dollars to community foundations can provide them with the funds to start immediate recovery if and when a disaster occurs — a worthwhile investment to make sure communities remain stable. So, when you’re looking to help out after a disaster, remember that community foundations can make sure your dollars go where they are most needed and impactful.
The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3), publicly supported philanthropic organization with the long-term goal of building permanent funds that provide support to local nonprofit organizations through grants and special projects. Our mission is to inspire and promote giving in Anne Arundel County by connecting people who care with causes that matter. Established in 1998, CFAAC is one of the largest funders of nonprofit organizations in Anne Arundel County. CFAAC distributes $5 to $7 million annually.
This article was originally published in the Capital Gazette on November 17, 2024.