Donation Management

With each disaster or incident comes a deep desire to help. Below are vetted sources compiled to help provide guidance on how you can help. It is important to remember during any event:

  • Money is best. Donating money to vetted sources allows funds to go directly to affected areas and provides exactly what is needed. 
  • Beware of scams. While money is best, make sure the organization is trusted. Be wary of phone calls, emails and social media asks for funds. Make sure you understand crowdfunding requests as well.
  • Don't donate goods. If you have items you'd like to donate, try having a lawn sale and donating the proceeds. Donated goods are often hard to disseminate in affected areas. They require specific recipients and manpower. 

Please note, other organizations may be working behind the scenes and can be vetted through their membership in the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD). Be sure to do your diligence in researching the work done by any group you wish to donate to.

Lewiston
  • Behavioral Health Resources: Maine people affected by the violence in Lewiston are encouraged to reach out and connect with behavioral health support.
  • Lewiston Community Resilience Center: The City of Lewiston, in partnership with the State of Maine and community partners, will open the Community Resiliency Center (CRC) at 184 Main Street beginning Mon., Nov. 13.
  • Maine Community Foundation: The Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund has been established. The fund will collect and allocate donations to support victims of the tragedy. 
Hawai'i
  • Kako'o Maui Fundraiser: The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement created a matching fundraiser to help rebuild. The area was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawai'i for 25 years and is a burial home to many chiefs. 
  • Maui Strong Fund: Hawai'i Community Foundation has started the Maui Strong Fund to provide financial resources that can be deployed quickly, with a focus on rapid response and recovery for the devastating wildfires.
  • Maui United Way: Maui United Way has created a disaster relief page for those wishing to donate to Maui Fire Disaster Relief. 
Vermont
  • Vermont Community Foundation: The Vermont Flood Response & Recovery Fund 2023 supports Vermonters in responding to and recovering from the catastrophic rainfall across Vermont in 2023. 
  • Vermont CARE: Citizens Assistance Registry for Emergencies (CARE) for elders, certain disabilities who may need special help during an emergency.
Hurricane Ian
  • Florida Disaster Fund: The State of Florida's official fund established to assist communities during times of emergency and disaster. 
  • Florida Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD): Florida, and National, VOAD members are currently responding to communities in need after Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida. 
  • Project HOPE: nonprofit humanitarian relief organization that works with local partners and health care workers, focusing on elderly, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable communities, to provide medicine, water, and other supplies. 
  • Red Cross: Help by making a blood donation appointment, or by making a cash donation. You can text the word IAN to 90999 to make an automatic $10 donation.
  • Save the Children: Helps deliver lifesaving aid to vulnerable children around the world, including those impacted by disasters. 
  • Salvation Army: The Florida chapter is accepting cash donations online to help with mobile feeding units and bulk disaster supplies. 
Turkey
  • CARE: Provides immediate aid, including food, water, hygiene kits, support services, and cash assistance, prioritizing women, girls, families, and the elderly.
  • Doctors Without Borders: Works with local volunteers, organizations, health care professionals, and authorities to help people access health care facilities and prescribed medications.
  • International Committee of the Red Cross: Helps people affected by conflicts and supports international Red Cross organizations globally.
  • International Medical Corps: Delivers primary health care and mental health services globally. 
  • Operation Blessing: Humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering in the U.S and around the world. 
  • Samaritan's Purse: A nondenominational evangelical organization providing spiritual and physical aid to victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, and famine. 
  • Save the Children: Helps deliver lifesaving aid to vulnerable children around the world.
  • Syrian American Medical Society: A global medical relief organization working on the front lines of crisis relief in Syria. 
  • The White Helmets: Also known as the Syria Civil Defence, these humanitarian volunteers help where public services no longer function, regardless of religion or politics. 
  • Turkish Red Crescent Society: Provides various services for social solidarity. 
  • United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR): Supports refugees fleeing disaster with food, water, hygiene and other essential nonfood supplies and temporary shelter.
  • UN Refugee Agency: Provides aid for resettlement in the U.S. 
  • UNICEF: Supports health, nutrition, HIV prevention, education, safe drinking water, sanitation, and protection for children and families. 
  • USAID: Promote and demonstrate democratic values abroad, and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. 
Ukraine
  • CARE: Provides immediate aid, including food, water, hygiene kits, support services, and cash assistance, prioritizing women, girls, families, and the elderly.
  • Doctors Without Borders: Works with local volunteers, organizations, health care professionals, and authorities to help people access health care facilities and prescribed medications.
  • International Committee of the Red Cross: Helps people affected by conflicts and supports international Red Cross organizations globally.
  • International Medical Corps: Delivers primary health care and mental health services globally. 
  • Operation Blessing: Humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering in the U.S and around the world. 
  • Samaritan's Purse: A nondenominational evangelical organization providing spiritual and physical aid to victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, and famine. 
  • Save the Children: Helps deliver lifesaving aid to vulnerable children around the world.
  • Sunflower of Peace: Raises money to prepare first aid medical tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the front line.
  • United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR): Supports refugees fleeing disaster with food, water, hygiene and other essential nonfood supplies and temporary shelter.
  • UN Refugee Agency: Provides aid for resettlement in the U.S. 
  • UNICEF: Supports health, nutrition, HIV prevention, education, safe drinking water, sanitation, and protection for children and families. 
  • USAID: Promote and demonstrate democratic values abroad, and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. 
  • Voices of Children: Provides psychological and psychosocial support to children affected by armed conflict by providing art therapy, video storytelling, mobile psychologist, and individual family assistance.
  • World Central Kitchen: Provides warm meals for the hungry.