Disaster Donations

The compassion and generosity of the Tennesseans is never more evident than during and after a disaster. It is through individuals, non-profits, faith-based and community-based organizations, private sector partners, and governmental agencies working together that will most effectively and efficiently help survivors to cope with the impacts of the disaster.

In the event of a major disaster, we can assume the public will want to help in any way they can. However, often large quantities of unsolicited donations may be sent or delivered to an affected area whether they are requested or not. These extra or unneeded donations may overwhelm the capability of the local community to distribute them and hinder response operations.

We ask that you please never donate unsolicited goods, such as used clothing, used toys, miscellaneous household items, medicine, or perishable food. Instead, monetary donations (check/credit card) are preferred and always the most effective way to give voluntary agencies and faith-based organizations flexibility to provide the aid that is needed. And please only give to trusted, reputable, voluntary, or charitable organizations, and funds. Donations are also critical even after disasters are no longer in the headlines. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy provides a reminder about the importance of giving for long-term recovery.

Beware of Fraud

Beware of people, who set up phony charitable organizations to scam donors. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) established the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) to improve and further the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraud related to disasters, and to advocate for the victims of such fraud. You can also review to go to CharityNavigator.org. It is the nation's largest evaluator of charities. In their quest to inform prospective donors, their team has examined tens of thousands of non-profit financial documents to develop an unbiased, objective, numbers-based rating system to assess over 160,000 of America's charities.

 

Reputable Organizations 

Please consider only giving  to trusted, reputable, voluntary, or charitable organizations, and funds.