MILWAUKEE — On Sunday, Hurricane Ida, with winds of 150 miles per hour, hit Louisiana. This Category 4 storm is one of the strongest to impact this area. As this life-threatening situation unfolds, relief organizations are beginning to solicit for support to help those in need. BBB Wise Giving Alliance (BBB’s Give.org) offers the following tips. They also encourage donors to recognize the shared cycle of disaster activity — Rescue, Relief and Recovery. Each phase will require its own support and expertise to help communities recover. There will be many opportunities to give.
● Donate to experienced groups: support experienced organizations that stand ready to provide quick and effective assistance. Be cautious of organizations that form overnight in the wake of a disaster
● Look for appeal clarity: seek out appeals that are upfront and clear about what disaster relief services you are supporting
● Be wary of 100% claims: watch out for claims that 100% of donations will assist relief victims. The organization is probably still incurring administrative and fundraising expenses, even if it is using other funds to cover these costs
● Give money rather than goods: donating money is the quickest way to help and provides charities the flexibility to channel resources to impacted areas
● Verify trustworthiness: rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity. They recommend giving to charities that meet all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, found at BBB’s Give.org
● Understanding crowdfunding: if engaging in crowdfunding, give to someone you know and trust and review the platform’s policies and procedures.
● Identify celebrity fundraising plans: before donating to a celebrity’s fundraising effort, look beyond the fame. See if they identify plans for the intended use of funds or whether they are collaborating with a well-established charity
The following is a list of BBB Accredited Charities raising funds for Hurricane Ida disaster relief:
● American Red Cross
● Americares
● Brother’s Brother Foundation
● Feed The Children
● Heart to Heart International
● Operation USA
● Salvation Army
● Save the Children
For more information or further inquiries, contact the Wisconsin BBB at bbb.org/Wisconsin, 414-847-6000 or 1-800-273-1002.
