This post was originally published on August 11, 2023. It was updated with video on August 23, 2023.
CharityWatch announces our list of highly efficient and accountable charities involved in efforts to provide emergency aid to those affected by the Maui wildfires.
Over the past week the Hawaiian island of Maui has been engulfed by massive wildfires. The epic wildfires have been fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane. As of Friday, August 11th, 2023, the confirmed death toll has risen to 55, with around 1,000 people still missing and unaccounted for. Hawaii's Governor, Josh Green, has said the state is headed for its deadliest disaster in state history.
The charities listed below are Top-Rated by CharityWatch for spending at least 75% of their cash budgets on programs; for maintaining fundraising efficiency of $25 or less to raise each $100 in cash donations; and for meeting CharityWatch's governance & transparency benchmarks.
Donors Beware
Scammers will exploit your feelings of empathy and compassion during times of crisis as a means of siphoning donations away from legitimate charities and into their own pockets. Read CharityWatch's advice for avoiding charity frauds and scams:
5 Tips For Avoiding Charity Frauds & Scams
10 Tips For Giving In a Crisis
How "Psychic Numbing" Stops Us From Giving
Crowdfunding: The Wild West of Charitable Giving
ATTENTION: The charities listed in this alert were Top-Rated by CharityWatch at the time of its publication. CharityWatch updates our ratings throughout the year. To see if a particular charity is currently Top-Rated, please click on its name, below.