Editor’s Note: This blog was updated on October 5, 2022. Philanthropy Roundtable is providing a list of organizations offering assistance to those affected in the region. However, given the immediate need, please be aware the Roundtable has not fully vetted all of these organizations, and we simply list them here for your review and consideration.
Hurricane Ian came ashore Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday, Sept. 28 as a monstrous Category 4 hurricane, one of the strongest storms ever to hit the United States. It flooded homes on both the state’s coasts, cut off the only road access to a barrier island, destroyed a historic waterfront pier and knocked out electricity to 2.6 million Florida homes and businesses — nearly a quarter of utility customers. In the wake of a staggering amount of damage and reports of loss of life, many of us are eager to help with response and recovery efforts.
At Philanthropy Roundtable, we promote charitable giving to organizations that respond to disasters in a timely and targeted manner and in a way that reflects our shared values about individuals, families and communities. If you are looking for ways to give, please consider the following organizations:
Better Together
Better Together is leveraging the strength of its team and volunteers to work with churches in the region and across the country to bring in supplies to help families impacted by the hurricane from Sarasota to Collier County, Florida. They are helping churches coordinate relief efforts and serving families to make certain that children are in a safe environment. Their volunteers are hosting children of those who need a safe place for the kids, while providing childcare for families of first responders and essential workers.
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
CDP, which focuses on “all aspects of recovery to strengthen disaster-affected communities,” has a standing Hurricane Relief Fund that focuses on rebuilding homes and livelihoods, offering mental health services and addressing other challenges identified by communities that arise as recovery efforts progress.
Convoy of Hope
Convoy of Hope, a “faith-based organization with a driving passion to feed the world through children’s feeding initiatives, community outreach and disaster response,” has amassed a caravan of response vehicles in Florida and is working with local officials to set up points of distribution, where it will begin assisting storm survivors. Convoy will “work with local church, civic and nonprofit groups to distribute as much relief as possible.”
Heart of Florida United Way
In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, United Way is accepting donations to its Hurricane Recovery Fund, where every dollar received will help residents in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties who need assistance recovering from the storm. The priority of this recovery fund is to support Central Floridians and ensure that they have access to food and essential supplies.
Matthew 25 Ministries
Matthew 25: Ministries, which “helps the poorest of the poor and disaster victims throughout the United States,” has partnered with Procter & Gamble to deploy disaster response fleets to affected regions “including customized panel trucks loaded with P&G Personal Care Product Kits, household cleaning supplies, baby items, bottled water and additional items including first aid and safety supplies provided by Cintas and tarps provided by Lamar.”
Operation Blessing International
Operation Blessing has four program pillars: disaster relief, hunger relief, medical care and clean water. Their team, which is dedicated to “demonstrating God’s love by alleviating human need and suffering in the United States and around the world,” not only focuses on immediate assistance, but they also work to promote long-term stability in the areas they serve. According to the organization’s website, “We remain on standby with large quantities of disaster relief supplies and equipment in Ocala, Florida, outside the hardest hit areas. Right now we’re assessing the damage and reaching out to local partners. We will move into the harder hit areas with disaster aid just as soon as travel is possible.”
Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse is a “nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.” It has a long history of helping those affected by war, poverty, natural disasters, disease and famine. As part of its Hurricane Ian response, the organization is operating two Disaster Relief Units, tractor trailers stocked with equipment and supplies. They will also coordinate volunteer teams to “muck out flooded homes, cut downed trees and tarp roofs.”
The Miami Foundation
The Miami Foundation “is focused on building a stronger Miami” and has established a Florida Grassroots Hurricane Community Recovery Fund to support local disaster relief efforts. They will focus their efforts on supporting low-income neighborhoods and families.
We will continue to add to this list as we learn more in the coming days and weeks.
If you are interested in supporting these relief efforts or would like to recommend an organization doing great work, please contact [email protected].
