Recent storms from the Great Plains to New England have hit the northern states with heavy snow, hail, and strong winds, resulting in power outages and other damage. Rain and tornadoes in other parts of the U.S. brought flooding, damage to homes, and displacement of some residents. Severe weather has affected most U.S. states, with damage reported from California to Maine.
There is much recovery work to do. Many people are still suffering, and we know givers at NCF want to know how they can use their Giving Funds to mobilize resources for charities providing much-needed help and hope for victims of this unexpected crisis.
Here are five ways you can always use your Giving Fund during these critical moments:
- Give now: If you have a Giving Fund at NCF, it’s likely that you have an available fund balance for times like this. You can easily log in to your fund from your phone or laptop 24/7 to quickly recommend grants at the moment disaster strikes. Search for ministries in the area of the disaster or global disaster-relief organizations familiar to you.
- Give later: It’s important to remember that the need for support doesn’t end when media coverage dies down. As time goes by, donations slack off, and relief efforts and organizations struggle. It takes time, hard work, and money to recover after things like fires and storms. You can make a difference by setting up a recurring grant from your Giving Fund to provide ongoing support during the critical months or years ahead.
- Give of your time. If you feel compelled to be generous to your neighbors in need, volunteering can be a gift to a charity during a crisis. While you may need to arrange with the organization if your time might be best used during the disaster or shortly after, you can be sure there will be a need you can fill to offer support, both to those in need and those coordinating the efforts.
- Give with confidence: When disaster strikes, NCF can help you avoid scams and fraud. NCF reviews every charity to ensure they are IRS-approved and ready to receive grants, so you can be confident your support is going to legitimate organizations. At times, we also provide lists of carefully selected, on-the-ground charities that are actively mobilizing volunteers, supplies, and critical support for victims. Finally, some of our local NCF teams have created lists of ways you can help, as they work with those on the front lines of relief.
- Set a disaster relief giving goal for the future: Many natural disasters are recurring and cyclical. Hurricane season comes around every fall, and wildfires are always a threat in the summer. Consider setting a giving goal for seasons of distress by scheduling a future grant recommendation for your favorite relief organizations during these critical windows.
If you don’t have a Giving Fund at NCF yet, learn more or open one today.
