Where to donate to support people in time of plague

May 9, 2020 5:52 PM

Please recommend charitable organizations/NPOs accepting donations, which are working to support people suffering from the coronavirus (in the sense of livelihood/jobs/housing/education issues etc.). Some possible specs below the fold.

Possible, though not essential, narrowing down:

-- Based in New York City
-- Focused on either support for immediate needs or reachieving long-term stability, or both
-- Focused on children/education
-- Working in/with communities/neighborhoods especially hard hit

If there have been previous questions along these lines, please feel free to link. Many thanks.

posted by huimangm to Grab Bag (9 answers total)

"During the COVID-19 crisis, The Legal Aid Society is making our city safe for all New Yorkers. [...] We have taken a stand for immigrants in detention, those who have lost their jobs, and those who are being held in unsafe and unsanitary jails and prisons. Our victories have already helped keep New Yorkers in their houses and off the streets."

New York Legal Assistance Group: "Help us provide free legal services to children and adults in need of a lawyer. Your donation helps to ensure fair and equal access to justice. Thank you." (Practice areas include Education Rights)

"Legal Services NYC is celebrating 50 years of fighting poverty and seeking racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. Our advocates fight on the front lines every day for New York City's most vulnerable residents. Our enduring relationships with communities throughout the City enable us to respond nimbly and effectively to serve their most pressing needs. As we celebrate a landmark anniversary, we are more determined than ever to continue our work to provide justice and opportunity for all New Yorkers." (Practice areas include Access to Education)
posted by katra at 7:46 PM on May 9, 2020 [2 favorites]

Local blogs can help guide you to smaller groups providing direct aid in poorer neighborhoods. For instance, the owner of 46 Mott is providing free hot lunches in Chinatown. An anonymous (but verified) East Village restaurant is distributing meals to the EV homeless. I feel like these small-scale efforts can be unusually successful in reaching people falling through the cracks of official social services.
posted by praemunire at 8:26 PM on May 9, 2020 [2 favorites]

This tool will give you some good recommendations
posted by pinochiette at 8:27 PM on May 9, 2020 [1 favorite]

The Navajo Nation has the third-highest infection rate in the country. Here is their relief fund.
posted by NotLost at 10:49 PM on May 9, 2020 [2 favorites]

A list of New York community response funds. (Most of my money has been going to my local fund, Bed-Stuy Strong, which isn't on the list for some reason.)
posted by babelfish at 11:47 PM on May 9, 2020 [2 favorites]

One of my favorite for and by the homeless organizations in NYC's Picture the Homeless. They have a #HomelessCantStayHome campaign that includes a donation drive organized by the Urban Justice Center.
posted by spamandkimchi at 12:25 PM on May 10, 2020 [1 favorite]

Other NYC ideas
- Make the Road NY is an awesome immigrant organizing group (I use them as a case study for my community change class!)
- Laundry Workers Center is fundraising for the low wage essential workers in laundromats, warehouses, etc.
posted by spamandkimchi at 12:32 PM on May 10, 2020 [1 favorite]

You have a beautiful heart. Please note that a plague isn't a pandemic.
posted by artdrectr at 1:18 AM on May 11, 2020 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thank you very much for extremely helpful answers (and sorry for careless wording). I am marking the question resolved for now, but please feel free to add more if warranted. Be safe and well, everyone.
posted by huimangm at 3:35 PM on May 11, 2020