The damage inflicted upon Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria is well documented. It is reported that the entire island, home to 3.4 million people, is without power and it may take up to six months before power is fully restored. The infrastructure, including various roads, bridges and a major dam, has been destroyed. Many are in need of basic necessities to survive. As Gov. Ricardo Rosselló told the Associated Press “There’s a humanitarian emergency here in Puerto Rico.”
Many have expressed a desire to help. Below are a list of a number of reputable organizations and individuals who have created funds to receive donations, monetary or otherwise, to assist in recovery efforts.
Hispanic Federation
The Hispanic Federation a Latino nonprofit membership organization. Founded in 1990, it seeks to support Latino families and strengthen Latino institutions. In partnership with NYC Council Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito, NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio, US Reps. Nydia Velázquez and Adriano Espaillat, it has launched “Unidos”: A Hurricane Relief Fund for Hurricane Maria Victims in Puerto Rico, where 100 percent of the proceeds will go to hurricane relief and recovery efforts. To donate click the following link: Unidos
Carmelo Anthony, Jorge Posada & Carlos Beltran
The sports world has responded to the recent natural disasters and sprang into action. In an essay penned on The Player’s Tribune, NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony called attention to the crisis, pledged $50,000 to relief efforts and has created the Carmelo Anthony Puerto Rico Relief Fund which has a goal of raising $1 million dollars and is at $173,207 as of Saturday. To donate click on the following link: Carmelo Anthony Puerto Rico Relief Fund
The baseball world has also answered the call. New York Yankees great Jorge Posada, a native of Puerto Rico, and his wife Laura created the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Fund with a goal of raising $200,000, having raised over $147,000 as of Saturday. To donate visit the following site: Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Fund
Houston Astros outfielder Carlos Beltran has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for his native Puerto Rico. Beltran announced the fund on Twitter on Friday evening. He and his wife, Jessica, kicked off the campaign with a $1 million donation; it has since raised an additional $43,000. To donate visit: Crowdrise.com
Miami & Philadelphia
The Miami Foundation created the US Caribbean Strong Relief Fund to raise money supporting hurricane relief efforts in Caribbean nations and territories affected by Irma and Maria. While, in the Philadelphia-area nonprofit. El Concilio has launched Unidos PA’ Puerto Rico to raise money for hurricane relief.
First Lady of Puerto Rico
Last, but certainly not least. The First Lady of Puerto Rico Beatriz Rosello, launched United for Puerto Rico to fund relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. To donate visit: United for Puerto Rico
UPDATE: We will continue to update this article and add charities as they become available.
Update | September 29, 2017
ConPRMetidos
This Puerto Rican organization focused on public-private partnership is aiming to raise $10,000,000 for relief and recovery. To date they have raised over $900,000. To donate visit ConPRMetidos
Update | October 5, 2017
Tidal
Streaming service Tidal in conjunction with New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo have established a goods donation center and fund to collect goods and raise funds to transport and distribute donations. The goal is to fill and send as many cargo planes as possible to transport goods, which is one of the biggest issues facing the recovery effort. To donate visit: Rebuild Puerto Rico
The Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort for Puerto Rico
This effort brings together a wide range of civic, business and industry partners to provide needed services, goods and funds to help the people of Puerto Rico recover and rebuild, and provides opportunities for New Yorkers to contribute to the relief efforts. Noteworthy is that is provides an option to donate goods, funds or volunteer your time in the recovery effort. For more information visit: The Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort for Puerto Rico
Update | November 20, 2017
La Unidad Latina Foundation
The philanthropic arm of La Unidad Latina Fraternity, has established a fund to help repair and resource local schools in need. The Foundation has begun a partnership with the Puerto Rican Secretary of Education’s office headed by Julia Keleher to assist in the rebuilding and rehabilitation of a local school. The office has identified a school in need in a rural area of Bayamon that caters to many economically disadvantaged kids, many of whom have special needs. For more information on how to donate visit: La Unidad Latina Foundation.