Giving in Times of Disaster: Tips for feeling good about your donation

Here’s a few tips summarized from the October WSVA radio show with Executive Director Revlan Hill.

1. Do your homework before you give.

“Learn a little bit about the organization. Who are the board members? What is that organization accomplishing? How many people are they serving? What are they doing with their money? What is their strategic plan? Do they have an audit? … Is there someone looking over their shoulder and scrutinizing the financing?”

2. Look for the ratio or percentage of expenditures and revenue on the organization’s tax returns (find these online). All 501(c)(3) organizations are required to file a tax return. Program expenses should be a minimum of 75%.

3. Larger organizations have more capacity and infrastructure.

“The larger organizations are already boots on the ground…many people are already helping. Red Cross is a $3 billion organization that employs 17,000 people…within 48 hours, Red Cross had opened 148 shelters and served almost 10,000 people.”

4. Disasters disrupt regularly scheduled blood drives in the affected areas.

“Those cancelled blood drives affect the supply nationwide. Giving blood is something we can all do.”

5. Be wary of phone solicitations, especially those asking for a donation quickly or on a deadline. Request the organization’s tax ID number (all nonprofits are issued a number, which means they’ve passed some stringent accountability tests), so that you can do some research before donating. Never give personal information over the phone.

6. Community foundations know the local needs – and can connect with other community foundations across the country.

“We are transparent. We don’t have a favorite nonprofit. Call us or set up an appointment with us. We know the needs of the community and we can help you with the research to find the right organization to give to.”

More Resources

Check out local community foundations in the areas hit the hardest. These organizations have access to community input and strong connections to civic and nonprofit leadership. Most mobilize quickly in times of disaster and are uniquely situation to determine where donations will make the most impact. After Hurricane Helene and Milton, here are three organizations with relief funds: The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, the Community Foundation of Henderson County, and the Community Foundation Tampa Bay

Our “Dukes Support Mountaineers” fund, started by an area resident with our help, will go directly to Appalachian State University’s disaster relief efforts.

Organizations also mentioned in the radio show include Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse, and Mennonite Disaster Services.