CROMWELL, CT - As reported, Hurricane Michael made landfall as the strongest storm to hit the continental U.S. since 1992. As disaster relief organizations begin to solicit for relief assistance, BBB Wise Giving Alliance encourages donors to review our Disaster Relief Donation Tips page and also keep the following basic points in mind.
- Donate to experienced disaster relief organizations. These groups are the best bet to help provide quick and effective assistance to those impacted by the storm. Be cautious about newly established groups and/or those that are vague about what type of help they intend to provide.
- Be cautious when giving online. Be cautious about online giving, especially in response to spam messages and emails that claim to link to a relief organization. If you want to give to a charity involved in relief efforts, go directly to the charity’s website.
- Crowdfunding cautions. If you decide to contribute via crowdfunding, it is safest to give to individuals who you personally know that have posted requests for assistance. While there are places such as Give.org that help vet charities, it is difficult to vet individuals. For more Give.org tips on crowdfunding, click here.
- Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups. Some charities may be raising money to pass along to relief organizations. If so, you may want to consider “avoiding the middleman”. Give directly to those who have a presence in the region.
- Seek out BBB Accredited Charities. To help verify charity trustworthiness, visit Give.org to access reports that indicate if the relief organization meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.
- Gifts of clothing, food or other in-kind donations. In-kind drives for food and clothing, while well-intentioned, may not necessarily be the quickest way to help those in need unless the organization has the staff and infrastructure to distribute such aid properly. Be wary of those who are not experienced in disaster relief assistance.
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