Authored by Emily Barson, Director of Policy & Engagement, GoFundMe
On Sept. 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall across the southeastern U.S., bringing destructive winds, torrential rain and widespread flooding. Just days later, Hurricane Milton followed a similar path, striking communities still recovering from Helene’s impact. Together, the back-to-back storms left homes destroyed, businesses under water and families displaced, marking one of the most devastating hurricane stretches in recent memory.
In the wake of the hurricanes, the GoFundMe community mobilized, hand-in-hand with local leaders from communities impacted by the storms. One year later, we recognize the incredible power of help delivered — and the ongoing need to support long-term local recovery.
Global Donations, Local Impact
Since Hurricane Helene made landfall one year ago, more than $130 million has been raised on GoFundMe to support families and small businesses affected by both hurricanes, as well as nonprofit organizations supporting relief efforts. More than 700,000 people across all 50 states and 140 countries stepped in to help through online donations (we published a report called “One Year Later: How Communities and Donors Powered Recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton“).
GoFundMe.org’s 2024 Hurricane Relief Fund raised more than $1.4 million. Donations enabled more than 2,700 immediate relief grants to be issued directly to those impacted by the four major hurricanes that impacted regions across the U.S., including to those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
As one mayor from Western North Carolina told us: “Thank you for all GoFundMe has done for the people of Western North Carolina, we can never say thank you enough! Your partnership has furthered our recovery exponentially and your help to individuals means that so many do not fall through the cracks.“
Local Resilience: Still Rebuilding, Still Supporting
One year on from the hurricanes, recovery continues in impacted communities. As local leaders know well, rebuilding efforts can take multiple years. Families are still rebuilding homes, replacing belongings and working through insurance and infrastructure delays. Small businesses are restocking inventory and reestablishing their presence. Many of the nonprofits that responded on day one are still active in long-term support efforts:
- Baby2Baby has provided nearly 5 million emergency supplies, including diapers and formula, and will continue supporting children in impacted communities in Florida, North Carolina and beyond.
- Team Rubicon launched 17 operations in response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, delivering more than $4.1 million in volunteer labor to assist nearly 78,000 people across five states with debris removal, home repairs and other critical recovery needs.
- CORE relief efforts have reached more than 60,000 people across Georgia and North Carolina, delivering over 230,000 resources such as water, hygiene kits, baby supplies and ready-to-eat meals.
Since 2020, more than $240 million has been raised on GoFundMe for hurricane relief efforts across the U.S., highlighting both the ongoing needs left in the wake of each storm and the remarkable generosity of those who step up to help.
City Leaders at the Heart of Hurricane Recovery and Preparedness
Local elected officials can help prepare for and respond to hurricanes and other disasters in many ways:
- Amplify ongoing needs of individuals and frontline nonprofits that are responding in impacted communities through your communications channels
- Encourage donations to verified hurricane relief fundraisers through GoFundMe’s centralized hurricane relief hub and to GoFundMe.org’s Hurricane Relief Fund to help people in need
- Use data to identify areas in your municipality that are most at risk.
- Learn more about how GoFundMe partners with public officials to respond to disasters on the Public Officials Hub
- Connect with GoFundMe to ensure an open line of communication is established before the heat of a disaster moment
One year after the storms, the road to recovery continues, but so does the power of community, with local leaders serving on the front lines.
Visit the NLC Strategic Partnerships page to learn more about the organizations like GoFundMe dedicated to making NLC the premier resource for local governments.
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