Organized group of multi-ethnic college student volunteers collect clothing donations for needy families in their community. Over shoulder view of team leader with clipboard.

When disaster strikes, your compassion can make a world of difference. Natural disasters are an unfortunate reality that affects millions of lives around the world each year.

From devastating hurricanes and earthquakes to raging wildfires and floods, these catastrophic events leave a trail of destruction in their wake. The impact of such disasters extends far beyond the immediate physical damage, touching every aspect of human life.

Individuals, families, and entire communities often find themselves grappling with:

  • Physical losses: Homes destroyed, possessions lost, and infrastructure damaged.
  • Emotional trauma: The stress of displacement, loss of loved ones, and uncertainty about the future.
  • Financial hardship: Job losses, medical expenses, and the daunting task of rebuilding. Not everyone has built an emergency fund, so disasters can be catastrophic for victims’ finances.

Learning how to donate to disaster relief is crucial to support those facing unimaginable hardships. Your contribution can provide immediate aid and long-term recovery assistance to communities in need.

But how can you know which organizations are legitimate? If you want to learn how to donate to disaster relief in a way that actually helps, our team at AngeLink is here with a list of recommendations. Keep reading to gain the knowledge and tools you need to contribute meaningfully to disaster relief efforts.

Where to Donate to Disaster Relief

It’s important to learn how to donate to disaster relief because your support can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected. To help you make an impact, take a closer look at various avenues for sending your disaster relief donations:

Online Fundraising Platforms

Before the invention of the Internet, raising money for disaster relief used to be more challenging. But online platforms have revolutionized the way we contribute to disaster relief. These digital tools allow you to donate quickly and securely, ensuring your support arrives on time.

AngeLink is the best platform to start an online fundraiser and/or donate to disaster relief. Here’s why:

  • You can offer immediate financial assistance. Unlike traditional nonprofit or federal relief options, online fundraising allows for immediate financial help to those affected by disasters. There’s no need to wait for lengthy application processes or eligibility assessments, which means aid can reach victims faster when they need it most.
  • AngeLink is accessible. Anyone can start a fundraiser on platforms like AngeLink. Whether you’re directly affected by the disaster or want to help from afar, you can easily set up a fundraiser to support relief efforts.
  • No platform fees. Unlike other popular fundraising platforms, AngeLink does not charge any platform fees. This means that more of your donation goes directly to those in need, maximizing the impact of your contribution.
  • It’s flexible. Online fundraisers can be tailored to specific needs arising from the disaster. Whether it’s rebuilding homes, providing medical care, or supplying food and water, fundraisers can be created to address the most pressing issues.
  • Fundraisers are easy to share. You can easily post fundraisers on social media, reaching a broader audience and potentially raising more funds for disaster relief. AngeLink offers free fundraiser badges and QR codes to share on social media.
  • Our platform is safe and secure at every step. AngeLink takes fraud prevention seriously. Fundraising with Trust™️ is our commitment to you—we meticulously review every single fundraiser on our platform to verify its legitimacy. We guarantee that your funds will go to someone in need.

Local Disaster Relief Nonprofits

Supporting local disaster relief organizations can have a direct impact on affected communities. These organizations are often on the ground immediately after a disaster strikes, providing crucial assistance. Some things cannot wait—like access to food and water, medical care, and priority cleanup initiatives. Local organizations can help the most to provide these immediate needs.

For example, The American Red Cross is a well-known organization that provides relief after disasters, including food and water. It has over 200 local locations across the U.S. Want to contribute your time and skills? You can volunteer for disaster relief to help people in need, face-to-face.

When choosing a local nonprofit, consider the following:

  • Research the organization’s track record in disaster relief. How long has the organization been involved in disaster relief efforts? Examine their responses to previous disasters. Were they effective and timely?
  • Check if they’re listed with the IRS as a qualified charitable organization. Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. Confirm the organization’s 501(c)(3) status. This classification indicates a nonprofit. Also, check for good standing—make sure there are no issues with their tax-exempt status.
  • Look for transparency in how they use donations. Review financial reports and look for clear, detailed breakdowns of how donations are spent. A reasonable percentage should go directly to relief efforts.

Federal Disaster Assistance

When a major disaster strikes, the federal government can provide aid and support to affected individuals, families, and communities.

Here are some of the key federal disaster assistance programs available:

  • FEMA Individual Assistance: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers assistance to eligible individuals and households through its Individuals and Households Program (IHP). This can include:
    • Financial assistance for temporary housing
    • Home repairs not covered by insurance
    • Replacement of essential household items
    • Medical, dental, and funeral expenses related to the disaster
    • Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance

      To apply for FEMA assistance, you can visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA): DUA provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster. Here are a few important notes about this program:
    • Available to those who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
    • Payable for up to 26 weeks after the disaster declaration date.
    • The weekly benefit amount is determined by state law, with a minimum of 50% of the average benefit amount in the state.

      After a disaster, your state will share official info about the availability of DUA. You’ll need to file a claim through your state’s unemployment agency to receive benefits.

Best Organizations to Donate to for Disaster Relief

When disaster strikes, your support can make a significant difference. Here are some of the most reliable and impactful organizations to consider for your disaster relief donations:

1. AngeLink

When you donate through AngeLink, you’re not just giving money–you’re directly empowering communities to rebuild and recover. By allowing individuals to set up their own fundraisers, we create a direct link between those in need and those who want to help.

Every dollar goes further, every share reaches more people, and every fundraiser has the potential to make a significant impact.

With no hidden fees and a commitment to security, AngeLink creates a trustworthy environment for both donors and fundraisers. This transparency is crucial during times of crisis when quick, reliable action is needed.

In times of disaster, we need platforms that prioritize people over profit. AngeLink does just that, creating a space where compassion meets action. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a real difference.

2. Team Rubicon

Team Rubicon is a humanitarian organization (led by veterans) that provides support before, during, and after crises occur. Their mission is to provide relief to those affected by disasters, no matter when or where they strike.

Key features of Team Rubicon include:

  • Collaboration with international organizations like the UN and WHO
  • Compliance with FEMA and National Incident Management System
  • Launch of the TRades Academy in 2022 to address the shortage of skilled trades workers

In their 2023 Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Aid Year in Review, Team Rubicon reports that they helped 28,602 people in 2023, both domestically and internationally.

If you’re looking to make a real impact, you can’t go wrong by donating to Team Rubicon. It’s one of the most reputable disaster relief organizations out there.

3. Direct Relief

Direct Relief equips doctors and community health workers worldwide with essential medical resources. Their approach focuses on supporting locally run facilities that provide health services to underserved communities.

Notable achievements from the Direct Relief 2023 Impact Report include:

  • Delivering over $1 billion in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
  • Distributing pharmaceutical-grade cold storage equipment to 113 healthcare facilities in low-resource communities.
  • Facilitating cancer treatment for 650 children in partnership with Casa de la Amistad.

Direct Relief’s flexible approach allows them to respond rapidly to humanitarian emergencies while sustaining and expanding existing programs.

4. Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), prioritizes providing urgent medical humanitarian aid to people affected by natural disasters.

They serve our communities by:

  • Mobilizing a global logistics network to support local health facilities.
  • Dispatching mobile clinics to reach displaced people.
  • Integrating psychological first aid in emergency responses.

MSF maintains an independent supply chain that allows them to provide quick delivery of medical assistance where it’s needed most. Their Natural Disasters page states that about 90% of their staff are recruited and trained locally, often being the first responders when disaster strikes.

On the same page, MSF shares that they distributed relief items to 462,200 families in 2023. By choosing to donate to disaster relief nonprofits and other helpful organizations, you’re ensuring that your contribution makes a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by disasters.

Start a Disaster Relief Fundraiser

Now that you know how to donate to disaster relief, it’s time to take action. When crisis strikes, your community’s response can make a significant difference. Finding support with emergency fundraising is a powerful way to provide immediate assistance to those in need.

AngeLink’s platform was created to help your fundraiser succeed—we have a thriving community of passionate fundraisers and donors who would love to support your cause. With our easy sharing options, you can potentially reach thousands of people with just a few clicks. If you have a cause you care about, we invite you to raise awareness for it through AngeLink.