Blog

Wildfire Relief: How Clients Can Give Effectively

When disaster strikes, many of your clients may feel an urgent need to help. In the wake of devastating wildfires, the impulse to give is strong, but ensuring those contributions are effective requires thoughtful planning. Whether your clients are individuals looking to make an impact or corporate executives seeking meaningful ways to support relief efforts, working with the community foundation can help them maximize the effectiveness of their generosity.

Here’s how the community foundation can guide clients toward strategic, impactful giving in response to fire relief efforts.

Leveraging Local and National Expertise

Community foundations have deep knowledge of local needs and strong partnerships with other community foundations nationwide. When a disaster occurs, we collaborate with organizations in affected areas to identify the most pressing needs and ensure donations go where they are needed most.

This national network helps donors avoid common pitfalls, such as duplication of aid or supporting initiatives that may not have the capacity to provide meaningful relief. By consulting with the community foundation, clients can be confident that their contributions are making a real difference.

Avoiding Fraud and Misdirected Donations

In the aftermath of a disaster, countless fundraising campaigns emerge, from major nonprofit efforts to small-scale GoFundMe pages. While many of these are well-intentioned, some may be fraudulent, ineffective, or duplicative of other relief efforts.

The community foundation helps donors vet organizations and initiatives to ensure their contributions are directed to reputable, well-managed efforts. With our guidance, clients can feel secure knowing their donations are reaching legitimate, impactful organizations that are best positioned to provide relief.

Tax-Efficient Giving Strategies

For clients who want to support relief efforts while optimizing their tax benefits, the community foundation offers expert guidance. One key strategy is leveraging qualified disaster relief payments under Internal Revenue Code Section 139.

These payments allow individuals and businesses to provide direct financial assistance to those affected by wildfires without the recipients incurring taxable income. This not only maximizes the impact of donations but also offers tax advantages for donors.

We also assist clients in exploring other tax-efficient giving strategies, such as donating appreciated securities, establishing donor-advised funds, or contributing to designated disaster relief funds that support both immediate and long-term recovery efforts.

Planning for Long-Term Recovery

While immediate relief is needed, disaster recovery is a long-term process. Once media coverage fades, communities continue to struggle with rebuilding homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The community foundation can help clients structure their giving to provide sustained support over time, ensuring their contributions remain impactful even after the initial crisis response.

Giving Generously—and Wisely

Supporting fire relief efforts requires more than generosity—it requires strategy. The community foundation is here to ensure your clients’ contributions are impactful, efficient, and aligned with the greatest needs.

If your clients are looking for ways to support wildfire relief efforts, reach out today. We can help them navigate the giving landscape, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure their philanthropy makes a lasting difference.