One of the hardest things to do when a major disaster is occurring is to knowing exactly how to help and who/where is best to donate money in support. I have compiled a brief list of the options I would recommend based off a few factors:
Official donation pages,
The level of support received already,
Recommendations from friends, family, social media,
and reviewing the of the validity and efficacy of the charity / organisation via information from the Independent Australian Charities regulator (ACNC / Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission).
Disclaimer: this list is by no means exhaustive, and it is open to update/changes if people let me know.
The List:
NSW Rural Fire Service Fund (RFS)
The RFS comes first in my list because of two factors, one is that NSW is the state that is likely needing the most support (not to discount the other states battling fires) and Secondly, it is part of the largest ever fundraising effort on Facebook established by comedian Celeste Barber having raised over $49.5 Million at present.
DONATE TO RFS HERE
A huge bravo to Celeste….
VIEW/DONATE to Celeste’s Facebook Donation Page.
WIRES - Emergency Fund for Wildlife
WIRES is Australia's largest wildlife rescue organisation. I think it deserves equal ranking to RFS with needing support. A huge amount of Australia’s wildlife have been killed/injured/displaced because of the fires.
DONATE TO WIRES HERE
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
A Koala focused animal hospital that not only treats sick and injured koalas but it is also involved in research with various Australian universities to fight/prevent/cure koala diseases.
DONATE TO THE KOALA HOSPITAL HERE
Alternatively, you can support a GoFundMe that dedicated to Koalas - HERE
Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
Kangaroo Island has been ravaged by the fires. This wildlife park in South Australia is raising money for koala veterinary costs, koala milk and supplements, and extra holding and rehabilitation enclosures. The park has also taken in kangaroos, wallabies, an eagle and a possum. A GoFundMe page organized by park owner Dana Mitchell has raised more than $800,000
TO DONATE TO KANGAROO ISLAND KOALAS & WILDLIFE GOFUNDME CLICK HERE.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-kangaroo-islands-koalas-and-wildlife
A view of BEFORE and AFTER on Kangaroo Island;
AFTER:
BlazeAid
a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. Working alongside the rural families, our volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.
DONATE TO BLAZE AID HERE
NOTE: ACNC has demonstrated that +99% of funds taken by BlazeAid are used to help
Mogo Zoo Fire Recovery GoFundMe
Mogo Zoo is a small private zoo on the South Coast of NSW that is under threat / battling still with the fires. The GoFundme has been created to help provide equipment in an attempt to save the zoo and animals.
DONATE TO THE MOGO ZOO GOFUNDME HERE.
NOTE: ACNC has demonstrated that 97% of funds taken by Mogo Zoo are used to help.
Support First Nations - Fire Relief Fund for First Nations Communities
There is a GoFundMe for First Nations Communities set up by musician and community rights advocate Neil Morris, a Yorta Yorta man. This provides "culturally sensitive, specific direct support" to First Nations Communities displaced by the fires. Donations fund temporary relocation costs, basic amenities, resettling expenses and more.
TO DONATE TO THE FIRST NATIONS GOFUNDME CLICK HERE.
Local Fire Departments:
CFS Foundation > https://cfsfoundation.org.au/donate
Vic Country Fire Authority > https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/supporting-cfa
Western Australia (DFES) > https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/contactus/Pages/donations.aspx
Queensland Fire Department > https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/monitoring/Pages/contactus.aspx
…and already mentioned, NSW Rural Fire Service > https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/support-your-local-brigade