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Hurricane Dorian: How to Help

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Hurricane Dorian, which hit Great Abaco island on Sunday, September 1 as a Category 5 hurricane, is tied with the 1935 Labor Day storm as the strongest storm to make landfall in the Atlantic and the strongest hurricane ever to hit the Bahamas.  Early reports indicate that Dorian’s destruction on Abaco and Grand Bahama Islands has been catastrophic.  In describing the storm’s aftermath the Bahamian prime minister said the storm has caused "generational devastation," and survivors said simply, “there is nothing left.”

Although the storm is predicted to weaken as it approaches the U.S. mainland, the states in its path – including Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia – are preparing for destructive wind and rain that could result in flash flooding, storm surges, tornadoes and large-scale power outages.

While the full extent of Hurricane Dorian's damage in the Bahamas and beyond has yet to be determined, there are critical needs for immediate and long-term relief and recovery. Below are some resources to help inform your giving.

News

Resources for Philanthropy

Disaster Philanthropy Guidelines

  • Check out this blog from the Center on Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) on how to give strategically.
  • Download the CDP’s Playbook, which is a compilation of philanthropic strategies, promising practices, and lessons learned that aim at helping philanthropic organizations and individual donors be more strategic with their investments and recognize the importance of supporting long-term recovery for vulnerable populations.

  • The Jessie Ball duPont Fund resource Creating Order from Chaos: Roles for Philanthropy in Disaster Planning and Response provides a framework for steps that can be taken for philanthropy to response to disasters.

Hurricane Dorian Information

  • FEMA's resource page includes up-to-date information about the federal government's response to the storm.
  • This CDP's blog on Hurricane Dorian offers suggestions for funders both in and outside the path of the storm.
  • View the slide deck and watch a recording of the 9/9 webinar Hurricane Dorian: Supporting the Bahamas, coordinated by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and co-sponsored by the Council on Foundations, that examined what is transpiring in affected communities, from the Bahamas to the eastern coastline.
  • The Center for Disaster Philanthropy has created a Hurricane Dorian disaster profile, which provides updates on the storm as well as information on the areas of greatest need.
  • Visit the Council on Foundations' Hurricane Dorian webpage.
  • North Carolina Network of Grantmakers has a resource page that will be updated with more information as Hurricane Dorian approaches North Carolina.
  • The New York Times has published an article sharing multiple ways to help Hurricane Dorian Survivors in the Bahamas.
  • Charity Navigator has created a list of high-rated organizations providing aid and relief for Hurricane Dorian for both short-term and long-term relief.

Hurricane Dorian Relief Funds