In times of tragedy and natural world disasters, life is put on pause for many people.  Now is a more urgent time than ever to put your best forward and donate to a cause that will help thousands of hurricane victims and their families.  Choosing the right nonprofit for such contributions is imperative.  You, of course, want to make sure your donations are going to the right place, and with even well-known charities misusing donations, the selection becomes complicated.

There are ways to make sure your money is used wholly and directly for the imminent cause.  We have listed out below some notable charities you can send your donations to, as well as other ways to become involved in making a radical difference in the brutal aftermath of these storms.

Effective Charities

Hurricane Harvey, Maria and Irma laid destruction to a vast extent.  Giving to reputable, local nonprofits in the areas directly affected will ensure that your donations end up in the right hands and benefit the in-need victims.

1. Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund

Hurricane Harvey has been gone for a few weeks now, but its aftermath is still reverberating throughout Houston, East Texas, and parts of Louisiana.  Through the Greater Houston Community Foundation, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and County Judge Ed Emmet established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to support the people and their families who are still recovering and needing assistance in living areas, food, and rebuilding their lives. 

2. Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)

The Caribbean took a devastating hit from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and more storms will continue to do damage throughout the hurricane season.  Through CDEMA, you can not only keep up to date with hurricane progress and aftermath, but also the ability to directly donate to the impacted areas in the Caribbean.  Your support will reach the affected cities and help boost the local economies.

3. Volunteer Florida

Irma’s lengthy reach meant that the most US south-eastern states dealt with strong winds, floods, and the loss of power for days.  Florida bore the worst of the storm and will need funding to rebuild for months to come.  Volunteer Florida is a leading agency to send contributions.  It deploys and trains volunteers from around the state and sends them to their local shelters and relief centers.  

Start Your Own Charity

Committing direct donations to local nonprofits ensures that your money truly goes the distance and sustains a community for a longer time.  Another way to guarantee where your help is going would be to establish your own nonprofit.  With a proper plan and registration in place, a website front for donations, and an experienced advisory board, you could be on your way to founding your own charity – with the ability to control where all contributions rightfully go.

With time and diligence, your nonprofit could be running and accessible to others who would also truly like to make a difference. 

Whether by getting directly involved with the relief organizations listed above or starting your own, there are many routes to get involved.  And you can rest assured that you are helping make the desired impact for those still suffering from recent disastrous events.

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