Disaster relief

In times of crisis and disaster, Fidelity Charitable donors have played an essential role in humanitarian relief and recovery. Donors often ask us for guidance to enhance their impact, and these pages are designed to assist in that endeavor.

How to help: COVID-19

COVID-19 has caused widespread suffering. Here’s giving guidance to help support medical relief, protect vulnerable populations and sustain the nonprofit sector.

Learn about pandemic relief

If you are looking for guidance on a disaster or crisis not specifically covered on this page, here are some additional resources to help you support aid and recovery efforts that interest you:

There are four phases of disaster relief

1

Triage

Goal: Establish order

Timing: Day of disaster – 6 months

Services Needed: Rescue, medical attention, food, water, temporary shelter

2

Stabilization

Goal: Stabilization

Timing: Day after disaster – 2 years

Services Needed: Food, water, long-term shelter, sanitation, healthcare,return to school and work

3

Rebuilding

Goal: Rebuilding for a better future

Timing: Weeks/months after disaster – 15 years

Services Needed: Engagement of local population in planning and reconstruction of communities

4

Risk Management

Goal: Emergency risk reduction and prevention

Timing: Ongoing - continuous

Services Needed: Training, policy and procedure creation, relationship building among service providers & communities

Want more from Fidelity Charitable?

Sign up and we’ll send you smarter ways to maximize your philanthropic impact in a tax-efficient way.

Previous disaster guidance

Overview of Texas during snowstorm of 2021

How to help: 2021 winter storms

Fidelity Charitable and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy are collaborating to provide information to help you support the people and communities impacted by recent winter storms.

Here's how to help

The 2020 California wildfire season threatened residents across the state.

Learn about the wildfires

The 2019 California wildfire season is threatening residents across the state, and many are wondering what they can do to help the region.

Learn about the wildfires

A hurricane’s winds, rains, and flooding bring destruction and devastation to communities in its path. Many wonder what they can do to help those impacted.

Learn about the hurricane

A series of tsunamis devastated parts of Indonesia, and many are wondering what they can do to help the region.

Learn about the tsunami

Wildfires have been burning through California, tearing through more than a million acres of land across the state.

Learn about the California wildfires

Typhoon Yutu, one of the most powerful cyclones on record, impacted more than 50,000 people living in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Learn about the typhoon

Hurricane Michael was the strongest storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in 100 years, bringing winds of up to 155 miles per hour.

Learn about the hurricane

Hurricanes bring strong winds, heavy rains and flooding that can leave a lingering impact long after the storm has passed.

Learn about Hurricane Florence

Center for Disaster Philanthropy discusses this massive Pacific storm and highlights organizations providing relief.

Learn about the typhoon

In the span of just one month, a series of major hurricanes made devastating hits on the United States and the Caribbean.

Read about the Atlantic hurricanes

Hurricane Matthew swept across the Caribbean and the southeastern United States, bringing with it heavy rains, powerful winds and flooding.

Learn about Hurricane Matthew

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck central Mexico causing widespread damage.

Learn about the Mexico earthquakes

The largest earthquake to hit Ecuador in decades rocked its central coast, leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured.

Learn about the Ecuador earthquake

About Fidelity Charitable

Who we are

Fidelity Charitable is an independent public charity that offers one of the nation's largest donor-advised fund programs, making charitable giving accessible, simple, and effective.

Learn more about who we are

More insights into giving

What defined giving nationally last year? The 2021 Fidelity Charitable Giving Report highlights some of the important themes that emerged around charitable support.

Read the report