How to help in the wake of Hurricane Ian

On September 28, Ian made landfall in Florida as a Category 4, just shy of a Category 5 hurricane, on the barrier island of Cayo Costa. Ian left devastation in its wake with extensive flooding and power outages. The barrier islands of Captiva and Sanibel are now disconnected from the mainland and Fort Myers and the surrounding areas sustained significant damage due to hurricane winds and flooding. At least 99 people have reportedly died. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with many government officials predicting that the number will rise significantly.

If you would like to help those suffering in the wake of the storm, please consider one of the organizations below. We will update this list in the coming days as the impact of the storm becomes clearer.

Florida community foundations:

• Collaboratory – SWFL Emergency Relief Fund (located in Lee County; serving the Fort Myers area), in partnership with the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades
• Collier Community Foundation – Collier Comes Together Hurricane Relief Fund (serving Collier County)
• Charlotte Community Foundation – Disaster Relief Fund (serving Charlotte County)
• Community Foundation of Sarasota County – Hurricane Ian Relief and Recovery Fund

Click here for a longer list of community foundations responding to Hurricane Ian.

Disaster and emergency relief:

American Humane – responding to animal emergencies in the flood zone

Save the Children – delivers essential, child-focused items to kids and families

Volunteer Florida Foundation – the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster

World Central Kitchen – supplying and feeding evacuees and victims

Donors – to make a grant from your donor-advised fund, please visit Donor Central or contact your philanthropic officer.

Photo credit: Collier Community Foundation