From Forbes:
"Helping Out After Hurricane Florence: Where, What & How To Donate"
Hurricane Florence made landfall last week, crashing into the North Carolina coast, devastating families and businesses. At least fourteen people have been reported dead, more than 100 have been rescued from flood waters, tens of thousands of people have been displaced, and hundreds of thousands of people are still without power. As of today, Florence is still hanging around, dumping water on coastal North Carolina, and causing trouble further inland. Many people are in danger due to flooding while others have lost homes and property. I’ve written about disasters before, but this one is near and dear to me: I grew up just outside of Topsail Beach. I was a Topsail Pirate for most of my life before heading inland to school. My parents still live in the family home, just a few hundred feet from the Intracoastal Waterway. They evacuated up north (my kids were excited to have an unscheduled visit from the grandparents) but aren’t quite sure what they will come back to since power remains out and roads are not passable. Friends remain sheltered in place, though frightened about what might be left when can return home. It’s a scary time for many folks, and I know that many of you, like me, want to know what you can do to help out. Some of the tax rules that apply to charitable donations - like checking to see that the organization has its paperwork in order - are good rules to follow even if you're not claiming a tax deduction. So with that in mind, here are a few tips to keep in mind when helping out during Florence:
- Cash is king. While you may want to send food and other items, the infrastructure may not support those donations. Many organizations have been clear that cash, or cash equivalent, is preferred (but keep reading). Keep receipts if you intend to claim those donations on your tax return.
- Stay put. Yes, we all want to get in our cars and help but don't rush to help without checking first. There are already professionals and trained volunteers on the scene, and due to the potential for more flooding, relief officials have asked that folks stay off the roads where possible. In fact, many roads, like I-40 east of Benson and parts of Highway 210, remain closed to traffic. If your services are needed and you do volunteer, remember that you can claim a tax deduction for your out-of-pocket expenses but not for your time.
- Be smart. Be wary of personal solicitations on your doorstep or over the phone. Make sure that gifts made by checks or credit card gifts are secure. And don't send money by text or using apps like Venmo without first verifying the organization and the contact information. If you don't want to donate online or by text, most organizations have alternatives, like donation forms that you can mail together with a check (never send cash through the mail). Always keep excellent records of donations since the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that you do so for tax purposes - and having the information available is handy if you want to follow up with another donation.
- Do your homework. Check out the credentials of a potential donee/charitable organization before you donate. Charity Navigator has already posted a list of highly-rated charities providing aid and support in the Carolinas. You can always confirm charitable status through the new Internal Revenue Service (IRS) online tool, the Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS). Remember that some organizations (like churches) may not be listed, so don't be afraid to ask organizations which don't appear on the list for more information.
- Check with the organization first. While most organizations prefer cash, there are some soliciting in-kind donations (see below). Those wish lists may change as needs are assessed and storage for items may be limited. Check with the organization before you send or drop off anything. And if you're planning to claim a tax deduction for any in-kind goods, be sure to keep receipts showing what you paid for the items.
- Use caution when donating to individuals. For tax purposes, you can only deduct contributions to qualified tax-exempt charitable organizations. Donations to individuals are never deductible for tax purposes even if the individuals are really deserving. But there's another, non-tax reason to use caution: money solicited for individuals could be part of a scam and even if it's not, the money might not be spent as advertised. Keep in mind that once you hand over the cash, you have no control over how it might be used.
- Rely on oldies but goodies. There’s nothing wrong with new charitable organizations, but there is something to be said for those that have been around for a while - like the Red Cross which has a Florence-specific page. Brand new organizations may not have the facilities in place to offer the most effective relief - or they could be scams. Use caution before handing over your cash.
- Pay attention to the rules. The rules for charitable giving apply even in extraordinary situations although sometimes those rules may be tweaked to allow for more generosity. Stay informed. Be sure to document your gifts and get receipts. And never hesitate to ask the charitable organization or your tax professional if you have questions.
If you want to help but aren't sure where to start, tax-exempt charities that have indicated they are accepting Florence-specific donations include:
- American Red Cross. To make a financial donation, visit their website or call 1.800.RED CROSS.
- Catholic Charities of USA. To make a financial donation, visit CCUSA's disaster-specific website or text 71777 to donate.
- The NC Emergency Management has notified the Diaper Bank of North Carolina that families in shelters need children’s underwear and toilet paper, as well as diapers and feminine hygiene products. You can donate specific items from their Amazon Wishlist.
- Donors Choose just launched a Hurricane Florence recovery effort, which means they're accepting donations from the public to apply to projects from teachers at damaged public schools. Donors Choose is asking teachers and the public to report damaged schools, so that they can be sure the organization is getting support to the areas needed most. Donors Choose is also staying in touch with corporate and foundation partners who have supported schools in this area in the past, in the event they'd like to pledge support for impacted schools.
- The Disaster Recovery Network at Global Giving is also accepting donations.
- The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is accepting contributions for Hurricane Florence damage. Contributions will help with immediate unmet needs of Hurricane Florence victims. If you are unable to text or give online, you may mail your contribution to: North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699
- Salvation Army. To make a financial donation, visit their website.
- Save the Children. To support Save the Children’s response efforts, visit their website.
(Please note that these are not endorsements of a specific charity. If you're not a fan of those organizations listed, there are many other charities which would welcome your support.)
Corporate donor sites and giving challenges include:
- Amazon has partnered with Red Cross and Feeding America. You can make a donation from your Amazon Account, or select something from a wish list. Or, if you own an Echo or similar Amazon device, you can donate to Red Cross through Alexa by saying “Alexa, make a donation to Hurricane Florence.”
- Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rookie Davis (a Sneads Ferry, NC native) has set up a campaign to benefit United Way of Onslow County’s Hurricane Florence relief efforts.
- GoFundMe has set up a landing page that aggregates the verified campaigns created to help those affected by Florence.
- Google is doing a matching fundraiser for American Red Cross. When you donate, your money will go directly to Red Cross and Google will match up to $1 million in donations to provide critical relief to those in need. You can find out more about what Google is doing to assist during Florence on their blog.
- Michael Jordan (a Wilmington, NC native) and the Charlotte Hornets are working together with a number of community organizations to provide necessary and immediate relief and support to those affected by Hurricane Florence.
- Lowe’s has announced a $2 million commitment to support relief and recovery efforts. Additionally, more than 400 associates, who have volunteered to be a part of Lowe’s Employee Relief Teams, will deploy to areas hit hardest by Hurricane Florence. Their support will allow affected associates to focus on their families’ recovery. Lowe’s employs more than 10,000 people in areas impacted by the storm. Customers can help, too: Lowe’s has also activated its American Red Cross Disaster Relief customer donation program on Lowes.com to provide convenient access for customers to help people affected by disasters.
In addition to financial donations, what else can you do?
Donations of blood are needed. You can't claim a tax deduction for giving blood, but it sure is a terrific way to help. The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers who live in North Carolina or South Carolina and are willing to volunteer for a 6-12 hour shift.
^ The link below has a lot of different ways and organizations that you can donate to help the people and animals suffering because of Hurricane Florence. I know I like to talk a lot, but I also believe in putting action/money where your mouth is and helping those people and animals that need it. ^
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