Hurricane Irma has torn through the Caribbean, Florida and Georgia, leaving a wake of devastation in its wake. In the Caribbean, survivors are hungry and badly in need of relief and supplies. Florida evacuees are still spread throughout the southeast, and many will return to damaged or destroyed homes and a community that will need to be rebuilt.
Though weakened, Irma continues on its path. Our hearts go out to all of those touched by this terrible storm and those that will feel its affects in the coming days.
The Community Foundation developed the list of nonprofit organizations below to help you make the most impact with your giving now. These vetted nonprofits are helping Irma’s victims with immediate needs, or will help with the rebuild efforts in coming weeks. We will add to this list in the coming days and will continue to share how you can be of help.
- American Red Cross is sheltering more than 120,000 people, has activated 80 emergency response vehicles to support the response and has positioned 100,000 shelf-stable meals throughout the southeast and U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Atlanta Humane Society has set up an emergency shelter for animals and is caring for over 300 evacuated animals from throughout the southeast.
- CDC Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund is providing supplies and vital assistance as frontline experts work with partners to address community health needs and public health infrastructure in the storm’s aftermath.
- Center for Disaster Philanthropy is uniquely focused on highlighting the long view of disaster recovery, including medium and long-term rebuilding needs.
- Central Florida Foundation Hurricane Irma Relief Fund is supporting the longer term recovery and rebuilding efforts in Central Florida.
- Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina is supporting recovery efforts in South Carolina.
- Community Foundation of Sarasota County created the Hurricane Irma Relief and Recovery Fund to address a significant number of emergencies and needs that have arisen from the damage, especially for its nonprofit partners and those they serve.
- Coweta County Hurricane Irma Response Fund is supporting Georgia residents impacted the monster storm.
- Feeding Florida is utilizing its network of food banks to deliver food and emergency supplies throughout the state of Florida.
- Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund is a collaborative effort of the United Way of Northeast Florida, United Way of St. Johns County, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida and the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville to assist organizations helping those in Northeast Florida affected by Hurricane Irma.
- Habitat for Humanity has emergency response equipment in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina and will support home repair efforts.
- Hispanics in Philanthropy is helping support those affected in Cuba, Puerto Rico and Florida.
- MedShare is addressing healthcare needs in Barbuda, St. Barthélemy, St. Martin, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and other areas impacted by Hurricane Irma.
- Miami’s Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund is helping families, communities and businesses rebuild and recover in the Miami area, Antigua & Barbuda, U.S. Virgin Islands and the Bahamas.
- Second Harvest of South Georgia is providing meals to people in South Georgia, including Albany, impacted by Irma.
- Southwest Florida Community Foundation Hurricane Irma Relief Fund is supporting relief efforts in areas surrounding the Fort Lauderdale area, including Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte and Collier counties.
- St. Croix Foundation for Community Development will provide direct support for front-line relief and rescue and recovery efforts undertaken by entities in the USVI and Caribbean Basin.
- Tampa Bay Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund is a collaborative effort of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, Pinellas Community Foundation, United Way of Citrus County, United Way of Hernando, United Way of Pasco, and United Way Suncoast to support the immediate and mid- to long-term recovery needs in DeSoto, Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.
Donors – To make a gift, contact your philanthropic officer, linked below, or contact anyone on our philanthropy team.
Erin Boorn
Mendal Bouknight
Barrett Coker Krise
Staci Lynch
Kathleen Wagner