How to Give to Disaster Relief Charities Safely This Winter
Verify relief charities, use safer payments, and choose cash or requested goods that winter responders can use.
Give to established disaster-relief charities with a proven track record, research each group before you pay, and use a credit card or check. Send cash to a trusted group working at the site, and send goods only when they are requested. Disaster-relief charities are nonprofits that provide food, shelter, and recovery help after storms and other emergencies.
Winter storms and holiday giving create openings for fake appeals. A short check before you give helps your gift reach survivors.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 05, 2026.
Check the charity first
Favor established charities and be cautious about groups that appear right after a tragedy. The Federal Trade Commission warns that solicitations spike after winter storms and holidays, as described in its October 2024 consumer alert. A longer history of disaster work is easier to verify.
Search the charity name plus complaint, review, rating, or scam before donating. Review results from evaluators such as BBB's Give.org, Charity Navigator, CharityWatch, or Candid. Look for consistent contact details and a clear mission.
For a tax deduction, verify 501(c)(3) status in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search by name or EIN. That tool shows Pub. 78 eligibility and Form 990 filings.
You can also check whether a charity meets BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, including spending at least 65% of total expenses on programs.
How should you pay?
The safest approach is to research the charity, then pay by credit card or check. The Federal Trade Commission notes this payment rule in its Giving Tuesday alert. Treat pressure to use only other methods as a warning sign.
If asked to give by text, confirm the number on the charity's own website first. Ask for the charity name, address, phone number, and share of donations reaching beneficiaries. Do not send money through a link you cannot verify.
- cash only
- gift cards
- wire transfers
- cryptocurrency
- payment apps
Give what responders can use
Cash to a trusted organization at the disaster site is the most effective donation. USAGov, citing FEMA guidance, explains that cash lets responders buy needed supplies in bulk with flexibility in its guide to helping disaster survivors. It also avoids storage and sorting costs.
Send physical goods only when responders request them. Choose only items on the published needs list. Route goods through a relief organization or government channel.
Never ship items directly to the affected area.
Should you crowdfund or volunteer?
Crowdfunding gifts carry extra risk because screening and fees vary by site. Prefer appeals from people you personally know. Ask for stated uses and timing of funds.
When a post says it will pass money along, give directly on the charity's site instead. Do not travel to a disaster area on your own. Register with an established organization that recruits volunteers and provides safety, training, and coordination.
Send questions about volunteering and donations to [email protected].