How Donors Can Help Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts in the Southeast

On the evening of Thursday, September 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall on Florida’s Big Bend coast with historic storm surges and winds over 140 miles per hour. The storm’s path moved inland, bringing overwhelming rain, wind and landslides to Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and the Carolinas. More than 100 fatalities are reported, millions are without power, and several communities are cut off by flooding and disrupted communications.  
 
For NPT donors looking to help the region respond to this natural disaster, we recommend seeking out local community foundations in the affected areas. By tapping into the expertise of organizations already working with the people affected by natural disasters, donors can lend support quickly and efficiently where it is most needed. If your employer manages employee giving efforts, consider checking to see if they offer a match for donations.  

Additionally, donors can consider the following organizations, which are immediately serving those directly impacted and working on long-term recovery efforts:  
 

The Volunteer Florida Foundation (EIN 01-0973168) is assisting Florida’s communities in responding to and recovering from emergencies and disasters.   
 
Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund (EIN 62-0807696) is managed by the East Tennessee Foundation and will provide prompt and effective grants to empower local nonprofits and agencies to rescue and recover their communities. 
 
One SC Fund (EIN 57-0793960) is a statewide initiative actively accepting donations to support storm relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts in South Carolina.  
 
North Carolina Community Foundation (EIN 58-1661700) has set up a Disaster Relief Fund to address immediate health, humanitarian and safety needs in western North Carolina in the wake of the devastation left by Hurricane Helene.   

Minuteman Disaster Response Foundation (EIN 45-2648517) is assisting in the immediate aftermath of disaster through the deployment of highly trained and equipped volunteers. 
 
All Hands and Hearts (EIN 84-3978001) addresses the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by disasters and stays late to rebuild schools and homes in a disaster-resilient way.   
 
Humane Society of the United States (EIN 53-0225390) has animal rescue teams on the ground, ready to assist animals impacted by Hurricane Helene by distributing essential resources, offering veterinary care and conducting search and rescue efforts. 
 
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (EIN 45-5257937) oversees the Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund, which continually supports disaster relief in the United States, including long-term recovery and resilience.  
 
World Central Kitchen (EIN 27-3521132) provides fresh meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises. Teams are currently in four states serving meals and assessing food needs for communities in the southeastern United States.