Question: I get asked by people where to donate for COVID response. I have the international-focused groups to recommend, but do not have such recommendations for domestic organizations. Do you have any suggestions? How can individuals help?

Answer: Staying at home is one of the absolute best things we can do to help, but it feels (at least for me) very passive. So, let’s think about more of the active ways we can help, of which donating our time and money is of high priority! Here is a list of some ways to help, both financial and non-financial, though this list is in no way authoritative or complete. Please add more!

• Donate money: First, remember that many of the ills of the world that charities try to mitigate are amplified by the pandemic. The groups you regularly donate to still need your donations. If you’re able, please continue to donate. Meanwhile, some groups at the forefront of responding to the epidemic need additional financial assistance. These groups may not have been in your basket of charities, but you may want to consider adding them. They include (but aren’t limited to) groups that help:
  • Feed people, like local food banks, Meals on Wheels, No Kid Hungry, Feeding America
  • House people, like local shelters such as Coalition for the Homeless or Covenant House
  • Support women and children who are experiencing violence, like local domestic violence organizations
  • Support prisoners who are an especially vulnerable population, through bail fund relief or Parole Preparation Project
  • Support undocumented immigrants who are an especially vulnerable population, through groups like the Nat’l Domestic Workers Alliance Coronavirus Care Fund
  • Support artists who make our films/books/music/etc, through organizations listed here.
• Donate blood: Blood banks are facing severe shortages of blood. If you’re able, please consider donating.
• Donate supplies: A number of hospitals and other health organizations are accepting homemade personal protective equipment. Consider making masks or gowns. For example, Johns Hopkins is accepting homemade mask donations. Other groups that are still serving people need cleaning supplies.
• Donate space: If you belong to a house of worship, social club, or another organization with large space that is not being used, consider working with organization leaders to donate the space to expand community shelter or day facilities for the homeless while maintaining social distancing or even to expand hospital bed space.
• Donate expertise: In addition to donating medical expertise that is sorely needed, a number of other types of expertise are needed now too. For example, New Jersey needs programmers to help code an antiquated system. I have a friend donating her statistical expertise to track the epidemic (go, YJ!). Your expertise could be useful too, so please share it where possible!
• Provide emotional support: Consider writing letters to our elders or providing companionship. Or consider becoming a crisis support volunteer or remote mentor to a kid in need through groups like iCloudBe.