How to help: Hurricane Florence

Updated September 17, 2018

Hurricane Florence made landfall in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina on September 14, deluging the Carolinas with record winds and rainfall. The massive storm has caused extensive flooding, ravaging communities across the states. Disaster response organizations are organizing in Carolina communities to assist residents as well as to clean up and rebuild after the disaster. Given the extensive damage expected to such a wide area, organizations will need short and long-term recovery funding to help meet the needs of individuals, families and communities.

Fidelity Charitable will update this charitable giving guidance as we receive additional information about the impact of the storm and the organizations responding to it.

How to help

Fidelity Charitable has collaborated with the Center for Disaster Philanthropy to provide the following list of organizations offering relief services for the Hurricane Florence. These organizations are highlighted because they have existing operations or chapters in the region, the ability to incorporate a large influx of donations, and a strong, established record of excellence in disaster relief services.

Fidelity Charitable donors: to make a grant recommendation for hurricane relief, please select “create your own” designation from the grant use drop down menu and write in “Hurricane Florence.”

Following a natural disaster, there can be an increased risk of fraud committed by individuals preying upon the good intentions of people wanting to help; donors should take care that the organizations they are supporting are legitimate. Fidelity Charitable makes grants only to IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charities, such as the organizations below.

For Hurricanes Irma and Harvey
American National Red Cross
TIN: 530196605
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, DC 20013
Make a grant recommendation

The American National Red Cross was chartered by Congress in 1905 to play a central role in coordinating and responding to domestic and international disasters.

To recommend a grant to a specific Red Cross chapter, click the drop down menu for use designation, click “create your own,” and enter in the name of the local chapter.

Please note the organizations listed in this guidance do not represent the full list of organizations raising money for relief efforts for Hurricane Florence. Fidelity Charitable has collaborated with the Center for Disaster Philanthropy to provide these organizations to donors for reference purposes only, and Fidelity Charitable does not endorse these organizations. All grant recommendations are subject to review and approval by the Fidelity Charitable Trustees. Fidelity Charitable will communicate all grant designation recommendations for Hurricane Florence relief to grantees.

How to help: Community foundations

Local community foundations are mobilizing, creating funds to address the hurricane in their specific areas. Community foundations have local knowledge and experience with the nonprofits working in the region. These organizations will work with local partners to address short- and long-term needs as the area recovers from the devastating effects of this hurricane.

Please note the organizations listed in this guidance do not represent the full list of organizations raising money for relief efforts for Hurricane Florence. Fidelity Charitable has collaborated with the Center for Disaster Philanthropy to provide these organizations to donors for reference purposes only, and Fidelity Charitable does not endorse these organizations. All grant recommendations are subject to review and approval by the Fidelity Charitable Trustees. Fidelity Charitable will communicate all grant designation recommendations for Hurricane Florence relief to grantees.

Related resources

CDP brief: Hurricane Florence

An overview with the latest on Hurricane Florence, with additional resources and ideas for donors who want to help.

Four phases of disaster relief

When should you give in a disaster? The opportunity to make a difference does not end after media coverage dies down.

Issue insight: Hurricanes

CDP discusses the triple- threat brought on by hurricanes: winds, floods, and possible tornadoes.

How Fidelity Charitable can help

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