As the flood waters continue to rise in Houston and rain batters New Orleans, NACCHO has put together a list of organizations accepting donations. As with any organization to whom people choose to donate, always do your own research before giving to any group; focus on local organizations with strong ties to the community; and demand accountability of the groups to which you donate. A good place to start when assessing a charity is Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org), an independent nonprofit that evaluates how well organizations perform financially and how efficiently they use the donations they receive. Some Houston charities involved with response and recovery are as follows, and thanks to Dylan Scott at Voxfor the information:
All Hands: This nonprofit has staff on the ground in Texas, and is in contact with emergency management officials about assisting in the response and recovery. You can give here.
Global Giving: A charity crowdfunding site that is attempting to raise $2 million to be used exclusively for local relief and recovery efforts. You can give here.
Greater Houston Community Fund: A broad-based relief fund established by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. You can give here.
Local food banks: The Houston Press has compiled a list of food banks in the affected area, including Houston Food Bank, Galveston County Food Bank, Corpus Christi Food Bank, Southeast Texas Food Bank, and more. They recommend contacting a food bank directly about their need and what you can do.
Houston Humane Society: The group is helping marshal care and shelter for pets in the area. You can give here. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas is undertaking similar efforts. You can give here. The San Antonio Humane Society is doing the same. More here.
Blood donations: The Houston Chronicle noted that Carter BloodCare and the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center are accepting donations.
Americares: The nonprofit focused on medicine and health is seeking to provide emergency medical supplies and other basic resources to first responders and others in Texas. You can give here.
Portlight: A disaster response group dedicated specifically to people with disabilities. It is seeking to help affected people with evacuation and finding shelter, any medical equipment needs they might have, and more. You can learn more about its efforts here.
SBP: The New Orleans-based organization is planning to send AmeriCorps volunteers, assist local leaders and nonprofits, and eventually help rebuild damaged or destroyed homes. You can give here.
t.e.j.a.s.: A frontline environmental justice organization working for #AJustHarveyRecovery You can give here.
Airbnb: The hospitality company is working to coordinate people in need of a place to stay with people willing to offer a free room. More information here.
Check out Charity Navigator’s Hurricane Harvey page if you’d like to see more options. You can give here.
Read NACCHO’s joint statement on Hurricane Harvey.
