In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton leaving a trail of destruction communities near and far are coming to together to sup-port one another. From volunteering with clean-up to distributing supplies, the desire to help those in need is a major driver of charitable giving. But requests can be overwhelming and confusing, and many donors want to provide much-needed immediate support while also helping with long-term rebuilding efforts. Working with area nonprofits, the Community Foundation of North Central Florida is providing ways to connect donors to needs, strategies to protect donors from fraud, and plans for long-term recovery.

The Foundation has launched the NCF Cares List of Critical Needs to connect donors with urgent nonprofit needs. Any nonprofit with a critical need can submit a request to the Foundation, and once it is verified, the Foundation shares it through an online catalog within 72 hours. This tool provides a different way to connect those who wish to give with those in need. Requests take gift-giving from a general donation to a specific, measurable outcome. Requests have ranged from storm damage to buildings to replacements of toiletries destroyed by flooding, among many others. To view the current List of Critical Needs, please visit www.cfcnf.org/ncfcares.

As witnessed with Helene and Milton, disaster damage is often widespread. While many want to support those in the hardest hit areas, donations can be made at national, state, and local levels. Nonprofits such as the American Red Cross and Feeding America are working in multiple states and need financial support. For statewide efforts, contributions may be made to the Florida Disaster Fund. At the local level, many charities deploy disaster funds for specific areas. Local disaster funds often leverage donations with matching dollars such as the Patterson Foundation’s commitment of $3 million for relief and recovery in Sarasota. To learn about specific communities with disaster relief funds, the Florida Philanthropic Network is maintaining up-to-date information at https://fpnetwork.org/Disaster-Resources.

When giving to an unfamiliar organization, always use caution. To avoid fraud, the Foundation recommends the following:

• Choose Payment Methods Wisely: Avoid cash donations. Pay by credit card or write checks directly to the charity, not to individuals.
• Get a Receipt: Always ask for a receipt. Almost any charitable organization will happily offer one.
• Avoid Pressure: Reputable charities will not pressure you to give; if you feel rushed, it’s likely a scam.
• Be Cautious with Unsolicited Communications: Do not respond to unknown emails or texts, and always avoid clicking on links that could compromise your personal information.
• Verify Charities: Before donating, check the legitimacy of an organization through trusted online resources such as Charity Navigator or Candid. If it is a local organization, check their verification using the Foundation’s Philanthropy Hub at www.thephilanthropyhub.org.
• Know the Signs of Legitimate Charities: Legitimate organizations typically don’t request donations via money transfer services. Their websites often end with .org.
  
  When disasters strike, people give, but unfortunately, it is often not enough. According to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, of the $157 billion given by foundations, corporations, and public charities in 2021, only 2% ($3 billion) went toward disasters. And of that $3 billion, 82% went to immediate response and relief. As more devastating disasters hit, the need for support for immediate relief and long-term recovery will continue to grow. What can we do locally?
• Address Immediate Needs but Look Ahead: While funding is needed for immediate relief, there is a shortfall in recovery dollars. Long-term solutions need to be established now.
• Collaborate: When funders work together, they can minimize duplication of efforts and improve their ability to address “underfunded” disasters.
• Focus on Local: Including local residents in their own recovery helps solve issues faster.
• Donating to disaster relief efforts is crucial in providing much-needed aid to those affected by catastrophes. Every donation, no matter how big or small, makes a meaningful difference in someone’s life and gives hope amid chaos and despair.

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of philanthropy columns sponsored by Community Foundation of North Central Florida.