More than 46 million acres of land have been burned by the wildfires raging across Australia. With an early start in September, the 2019-2020 wildfire season is unprecedented. The catastrophic fires have already claimed at least 33 lives with the death toll expected to rise. More than one billion animals, including many endangered species, are estimated to have also lost their lives in the flames.
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, a resource for donors wishing to strategically support disaster relief around the globe, emphasizes the importance of cash gifts and continued assistance long after any disaster is over. You can use your donor-advised fund to donate to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Global Recovery Fund, a fund established specifically for meeting the long-term needs of disaster recovery.
You can also use your donor-advised fund to support these U.S.-based charities, which have Australian-based chapters working directly with volunteers and relief workers on the ground. Please note on your grant suggestion that you’d like your grant to support wildfire relief efforts in Australia.
GlobalGiving Australian Wildfire Relief Fund
The U.S. St. Vincent de Paul Society
This is not an exhaustive list. You may use your donor-advised fund to support any 501(c)(3) public charity in the United States. While you may also grant directly to Australian-based organizations, the Community Foundation utilizes a third-party service to conduct international due diligence, which will result in additional fees.
Contact Donor Services with any questions at service@growyourgiving.org or 816.842.7444.
Authored by: Ashley Hawkins, Content Specialist