Recent weeks have brought a variety of natural disasters to regions across the United States. Impacts have been felt acutely in the Western U.S., where wildfires still rage, in the Midwest, where a powerful derecho struck, and in Louisiana, where Category 4 Hurricane Laura made landfall. 

In partnership with Charity Navigator, we are providing a list of highly rated organizations that are supporting relief efforts in all three locations. These lists are not exhaustive. We have expedited the granting process so your contribution can be put to use as quickly as possible. More information is located below the three tables. 

Western Wildfires

The West has had its share of devastating wildfires over the years, and the summer season of 2020 has been extraordinary. At least seven people have lost their lives, and hundreds of homes and vehicles have been destroyed. Millions of acres have been burned, 100,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, and thousands of buildings are being threatened.

Hurricane Laura

Hurricane Laura hit southwestern Louisiana as one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever pass through the Gulf of Mexico. At least 14 individuals were confirmed dead. Homes and buildings were destroyed, and in some places, power may not be restored for weeks. Access to fresh drinking water continues to pose a problem.

Midwest Derecho

Early on Monday, August 10, 2020, a series of powerful thunderstorms known as a derecho swept across the Midwest, beginning first in southeastern South Dakota and moving east to Iowa and then the southern Great Lakes region. As defined by the National Weather Service, a derecho is a wide-spread, long-lived windstorm, usually accompanied by rain and thunderstorms, and can often carry the strength of a tornado.

Damage from the derecho has been recorded across the Midwest region including South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, with the greatest impact in Iowa and northern Illinois where the highest wind speeds took place. The storm left millions without power, destroyed homes and properties, yielded significant damage to crops in the region, and several lives were lost.

How to help locally

To support local relief efforts, consider recommending a grant to a community foundation. These organizations often have extensive insight into the most urgent local needs and can often react quickly to emergencies. Check out this community foundation locator to find one located in an affected area. 

To support these charities or others:

Log in to your online account by clicking the Login button in the upper right corner. Select Grant in the navigation menu at the top of the page and select Recommend a grant in the dropdown.

If the organization is not in your saved charities’ list, type the charity name, region, or interest area in the search bar under Find a charity. Click the magnifying glass to begin the search and then scroll down to see your search results. Charities will appear in a list below. Once found, save the charity by clicking on the star and then click select to begin the granting process. 

You will be asked to select a grant purpose in the first step of the process. Select Disaster Relief: Hurricane Laura, Disaster Relief: Midwest Derecho Storm, or Disaster Relief: Western Wildfires. If you want to donate to a specific cause or affected area, indicate so in the space provided.

If you do not have access to your online account, you can register by selecting the Login button in the upper right-hand corner. Follow the prompts to register for online access. 

The nonprofit community's response will be ongoing, and as such, these lists are not meant to be exhaustive.