How to Ensure Your Donations Reach Legitimate Charities After Disasters

Donating Wisely in Times of Crisis

• 💡 Texans are generous, but it's crucial to ensure donations reach legitimate nonprofits.
• 🎯 Community foundations, like the Communities Foundation of Texas and its sister foundation in the Texas Hill Country, play a vital role in connecting donors with vetted organizations on the ground.

Identifying Reputable Organizations

• 🔍 Look for organizations that are well-known and established within the affected community.
• ⚠️ Be wary of requests that are overly aggressive or seem too good to be true.
• 🚨 Organizations asking for an immediate response or a specific amount of money should be approached with caution.

Supporting Disaster Relief Efforts

• 🆘 The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has established a Kerr County Flood Relief Fund for immediate search, recovery, and rescue efforts.
• 🗺️ The San Angelo Area Foundation also offers a disaster relief fund, supporting local needs.
• 📺 The Tegna Texas Flood Relief Fund, supported by WFAA's parent company, directs donations to local nonprofits working in the hardest-hit areas.

Finding Vetted Charities

• 💻 Communities Foundation of Texas (cftex.org) provides a list of vetted nonprofits on their website to simplify the donation process.
• 🤝 Supporting established local organizations or community foundations ensures your donation is directed effectively to those in need.
• 🌱 Ongoing support is essential, not just in the immediate aftermath but also for the continued recovery in affected regions.