How to Help: Maui Wildfires

In the aftermath of the devastating Maui wildfires, which have killed more than 100 people and wiped out the historic city of Lahaina, The Foundation awarded two grants to support relief and recovery efforts on the island. One went to Jewish Federation of North America’s Hawaii Wildfire Fund, which will direct donations to local Jewish institutions, and the other went to Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund, which will direct donations to broader relief efforts.

If you feel inclined to help those on Maui in need, please see our recommendations below, and read “How to Give More Impactfully After A Disaster” by The Foundation’s Program Officer Charlotte Friedman for further guidance on giving post-disaster.

Jewish-Focus

  1. Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) launched a Hawaii Wildfire Fund to support urgent aid in the form of toiletries, first-aid kits, non-perishable foods, and baby supplies for those affected by the fires. This fund will be targeted to Jewish institutions such as the Jewish Congregation of Maui, the Maui Jewish Farm, the local Chabad, and Jewish Community Services of Hawaii.

Secular

  1. Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) launched a Maui Strong Fund to support shelter, food, financial assistance, and other services for communities impacted by the fires. This fund will be directed to a range of organizations on the ground such as Aloha Diaper Bank, American Red Cross, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center, Maui Food Bank, and The Salvation Army.
  2. United Way of Maui launched a Maui Fire Disaster Relief Fund to support local nonprofit agencies that are providing direct services to families affected by the fires.
  3. Amalgamated Charitable Foundation in partnership with Organizing Resilience set up the Maui Community Power Recovery Fund to support immediate relief efforts to house, feed, and support displaced families and resource the long-term efforts to rebuild and advance structural change. This fund will be directed to a range of grassroots organizations such as Maui Mutual Aid, Our Hawaii, Funder Hui, and Hawaii’s People Fund.

Click here to log in to Donor Services Online and donate directly from a Donor Advised Fund.