By
Alycia O'Dell

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Stay impactful,

From single-family homes destroyed by kitchen fires to entire communities devastated by wildfires, fires have the potential to wreak havoc in the lives of those impacted. In addition to the loss of land, livelihoods, and material possessions, fire victims often suffer from mental and physical health issues long after the flames have been extinguished. Fortunately, organizations around the world are working to support the long- and short-term recovery of those impacted by fires. So, we had to ask: what are the best charities that help fire victims?

The best charities that help fire victims are The Salvation Army and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. Charities like the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation and the Burn Institute help fire victims heal physically and emotionally.

Whether you want to help a child burn survivor find community at summer camp, provide financial assistance to families in the immediate aftermath of a fire, or ensure an emergency supply warehouse remains fully stocked, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that help fire victims are all about, how they work, and what your best way would be to contribute.

Here’s What All the Best Charities That Help Fire Victims Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, impact, transparency ratings, and achievements.

Most operate throughout the US, while others work to help fire victims internationally.

Many of these charities provide direct services to fire victims, while others partner with other local organizations to aid in community recovery efforts. Some specialize in mass disaster response, distributing as much aid to as many fire victims as possible. Others assist on a smaller scale by supporting individuals and families impacted by fire.

Some of the charities below focus on helping fire survivors find strength in support groups and other mental health services, while others focus on restoring the physical health of fire victims.

Yet, they all share the same goal; to help fire victims regain control of their lives.

These Are the 9 Best Charities That Help Fire Victims in 2025

Below are our favorite charities that help fire victims (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

The Salvation Army: Impartial, International Relief for Fire Victims

The Salvation Army holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator as well as a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Doing the most good.”

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army provides an array of services to support the short- and long-term recovery of fire victims, from single families impacted by house fires to entire communities devastated by wildfires. For example, they maintain disaster warehouses stocked with critical emergency relief supplies such as food, water, and baby supplies, that can be quickly distributed to survivors. They also provide emergency financial assistance to help fire victims purchase and replace critical items like prescription medicines, clothing, and supplies to repair their homes, and to offset the cost of temporary housing. Furthermore, they partner with governments, businesses, and other charitable organizations to support long-term recovery and help fire victims return to normalcy.

Today, in the US alone, The Salvation Army helps nearly 24 million people each year as they navigate their most dire times of need, including following fires. For example, in 2022, they provided emergency shelter and housing for more than 8 million people, served more than 155 million meals, and provided rent and utility assistance to over 3 million families in need. Furthermore, they served as the primary feeding organization after the August 2023 wildfire in Maui, coordinating and providing more than 112,000 meals for victims and first responders in the 11 days immediately following the incident.

You can donate to The Salvation Army via their website, or donate directly to the Disaster Relief fund of your choice. You can also support the charity by volunteering or fundraising.

Center For Disaster Philanthropy: Minimizing the Impact of Disasters

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator as well as a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Supporting equitable disaster recovery worldwide.”

Center for Disaster Philanthropy

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy provides relief from disasters, including wildfires, by offering expert resources, strategic grantmaking, and consultations. For instance, their educational resources include the Disaster Philanthropy Playbook; a compilation of philanthropic strategies, practices, case studies, and tools designed to aid communities in preparing for and recovering equitably from disasters. Furthermore, their consulting services provide corporate and foundation clients with the expertise necessary to effectively prepare for and respond to disasters, such as fires.

Since their founding, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy has remained dedicated to helping communities prepare for and recover from disasters, including fires. For example, in 2022 alone, they awarded $28.2 million across 117 grants, including 8 grants valued at $2.1 million from the CDP US Wildfires Recovery Fund. In the same year, they served over 40 organizations through their consulting services and hosted 15 webinars on topics like climate refugees and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

You can donate to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy through their website. You can also support the organization by attending an event or subscribing to their newsletter.

Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: A Legacy of Hope

The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Stop, drop, and roll.”

Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation

The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation helps fire victims through their Survivor Services, designed to enhance the quality of life for burn survivors and their families. For instance, their Recreational Programs include camps, retreats, summits, and outings for burn survivors of all ages, like the Adult Retreat, Young Adult Summit, and Champ Camp. They also provide psychosocial assistance through Support Groups, Peer Support, and Re-entry Support as victims return to work or school. Additionally, they provide emergency assistance to families in need, including gas, groceries, and hotel stays during initial recovery and cosmetic support and medical supplies in the months and years following a fire incident.

Since their founding, the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation has impacted the lives of thousands of burn victims and their families. In 2021 alone, the organization’s Survivor Services helped 3,314 burn survivors and families find hope and community. For example, 257 families utilized their financial support, 848 participated in support groups, and 804 attended a recreational program. Moreover, the organization is known for popularizing “Stop, drop, and roll” as part of their Fire Prevention Week campaign.

You can donate to the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation via their website. You can also show your support by volunteering or attending an event.

Burn Institute: Helping Burn Victims Thrive

The Burn Institute holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Empower burn survivors to thrive again.”

Burn Institute

The Burn Institute helps burn victims, including those injured by fire, through programs aimed at recovery, prevention, and community support. For example, their Camp Beyond the Scars is a week-long recreational camping program for young burn survivors, during which campers participate in a range of activities that promote confidence, healing, and community. As another example, their support groups bring together burn and fire survivors and their families for discussions about life after a burn injury. Furthermore, they provide emergency financial assistance to families of recovering burn victims, and award scholarships to college-bound burn and fire survivors.

Since their founding, the Burn Institute has reached thousands of people through their prevention and recovery programs. For example, their Camp Beyond the Scars program has served more than 2,200 young burn survivors to date. As another example, in 2023 alone, they provided emergency financial assistance to 169 families and hosted 72 burn survivor retreats. In the same year, they installed almost 3,000 smoke alarms for seniors and reached almost 44,000 children through fire prevention presentations.

You can donate to the Burn Institute via their website. You can also support the organization’s mission by attending an event or volunteering.

Global Empowerment Mission: Delivering Aid Quickly and Efficiently 

Global Empowerment Mission holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator as well as a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Solving humanitarian challenges in the midst of disaster.”

Global Empowerment Mission

Global Empowerment Mission provides relief following disasters, including fires, by providing emergency aid as quickly and efficiently as possible. Through their global network of branches established in key geographical locations, they preposition life-saving supplies to be easily shipped and distributed, usually within 24 hours. For example, when Maui faced a devastating wildfire in 2023, they provided immediate relief by distributing BStrong cash cards, allowing survivors to purchase the supplies they needed most. As another example, in 2019, they supplied gear for over 700 volunteer firefighters to control the Bolivia Amazon Wildfires. Furthermore, they help communities return to normal through their rebuilding efforts, including repairing homes and hospitals, and rebuilding schools.

Since their founding, the Global Empowerment Mission has distributed almost $390 million in aid and supplies through 335 mission trips across 57 countries around the world. For example, their response to the California wildfires in 2022 included distributing over $160,000 in aid and 500 Family Necessity Kits to fire victims. As another example, they have committed over $15,000,000 in aid to be distributed over a 5-year period in Maui as they rebuild following the 2023 Wildfire.

You can donate to Global Empowerment Mission via their website, or donate supplies. You can also support the charity by volunteering.

American Red Cross: Turning Compassion into Action

The American Red Cross holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator as well as a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Sleeves up, arms open, all in.”

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross helps fire victims- from single-house fires to multi-state wildfires- by meeting the needs of individuals, families, and communities. For example, they ensure that their warehouses remain well-stocked so they can quickly and effectively distribute life-saving supplies immediately following fires. They also establish safe shelters for public safety and operate those shelters until families displaced by fires can return home. And, they help communities plan for long-term recovery by assisting with cleanups and working directly with families to assess their ongoing needs. Furthermore, they provide their hallmark service; medical aid to anyone in need following a fire.

Since their founding, the American Red Cross has helped millions of people rebuild their lives following disasters, including victims of fires. For example, following devastating wildfires in California in 2018, they distributed over 81,200 relief items, like cleaning supplies and comfort kits to those in need, and provided more than 61,000 overnight shelter stays. As another example, in 2023, they reached an estimated 32,500 fire victims in Hawaii with disaster relief and recovery services, including over 1.22 million overnight shelter and hotel stays.

You can donate to the American Red Cross via their website. You can also support the organization by volunteering or donating blood.

Americares: Health-Focused Relief from Fires

Americares holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator as well as a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Health is on the way.”

Americares

Americares provides health-focused relief and development to people affected by poverty or disasters, including fires. In addition to providing emergency medical supplies and critical care immediately following a fire, they work to ensure ongoing access to health care by establishing health programs and services in affected areas. For example, in 2020 they responded to fires raging across the western US by supporting health centers and partners with medicines, relief supplies, drinking water, and training health workers. Furthermore, they prioritize care that is often overlooked in times of crisis, including mental health, mother and child health, and chronic disease management.

Since their founding, Americares has provided over $22 billion in health-related aid across 164 countries. For example, in 2023 they distributed more than $946 million in aid across the US alone. And, in the same year, they were named the 9th largest charity in the US by Forbes.

You can donate to Americares via their website. You can also support the charity by volunteering or donating products.

American Burn Association: Enhancing the Field of Burn Care

The American Burn Association holds a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator.

“The American Burn Association is dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by burn injury.”

American Burn Association

The American Burn Association helps burn victims, including those injured in fires, by promoting and supporting burn-related research, education, care, rehabilitation, and prevention. For example, they enhance the quality and consistency of burn care through programs like their Burn Center Verification, which ensures Burn Centers across the US are operating efficiently and providing optimal care to patients. As another example, they offer a variety of specialized educational programs to meet the needs of the whole burn-care team, from Advanced Burn Life Support immediately following a burn injury, to Reconstructive Surgery. Furthermore, they support and advance burn research through their ABA Burn Research Network.

Since their founding, the American Burn Association has grown to serve more than 2,300 members across 33 countries. For example, they have investigated and verified 79 burn centers, and almost 7,300 professionals have become certified in Advanced Burn Life Support. Furthermore, in 2022, they held the first annual Burn Surgeon Forum, featuring 17 presentations over 2 days, with more than 80 attendees.

You can donate to the American Burn Association through their website. You can also support the organization’s mission by attending a public event, utilizing their educational resources, or becoming a member.

Convoy of Hope: Hope for Those in Despair

Convoy of Hope holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator as well as a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Changing lives through kindness.”

Convoy of Hope

Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Relief Program provides fire relief through their 4-prong approach; preparedness, monitoring, response, and recovery. For example, they provide continuous preparedness and resilience training to their staff and volunteers, ensuring they have the skills necessary to respond to disasters like wildfires. Furthermore, the organization monitors weather patterns and global crises to better anticipate the impact of disasters and develop response plans. And, once the immediate threat has passed, the organization helps communities recover and rebuild by distributing life-sustaining supplies like food and water as well as leading cleanup efforts, and facilitating income generation projects.

Since their founding, Convoy of Hope has responded to more than 625 disasters around the world, including fires, restoring hope for millions of people. For example, in 2022 alone, they responded to 36 disasters in the US and 39 international disasters, serving over 4.5 million people. And, following Maui’s wildfire in August 2023, they worked with local partners and FEMA to relocate 20 families and provided furniture to 34 families, in addition to distributing lifesaving supplies like food and water.

You can donate to Convoy of Hope via their website, or donate directly to their Disaster Relief fund. You can also support the charity by volunteering or attending an event.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that help fire victims. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarise yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing a charity’s progress in reaching its targets, the chances are they’re not making a substantial positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. Charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to helping fire victims—based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities – and what we can do about it:

Sources

• The Salvation Army: Home
• Charity Navigator: The Salvation Army
• GuideStar: The Salvation Army
• The Salvation Army: What We Do: Disaster Relief
• The Salvation Army: Annual Reports
• The Salvation Army: 2022 Annual Report
• The Salvation Army: Hawaii Wildfires
• The Salvation Army: Donate
• The Salvation Army: Donate to Disaster Relief
• The Salvation Army: Volunteer
• The Salvation Army: Fundraise
• Center for Disaster Philanthropy: Home
• Charity Navigator: Center for Disaster Philanthropy
• GuideStar: Center for Disaster Philanthropy
• Center for Disaster Philanthropy: Educational Resources
• Center for Disaster Philanthropy: Disaster Philanthropy Playbook
• Center for Disaster Philanthropy: Funds
• Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund
• Center for Disaster Philanthropy: Disaster Recovery Fund
• Center for Disaster Philanthropy: Consulting Services
• Center for Disaster Philanthropy: 2022 Annual Report
• Center for Disaster Philanthropy: Donate
• Center for Disaster Philanthropy: Events
• Center for Disaster Philanthropy: Subscribe
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: Home
• Charity Navigator: Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation
• GuideStar: Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: Survivor Services
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: Adult Retreat
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: Young Adult Summit
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: Champ Camp
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: Support Groups
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: Peer Support
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: Emotional Support
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: Financial Assistance
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: 2021 Annual Report
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: The Origins of Stop Drop and Roll
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: Donate
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: Volunteer
• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: Attend an Event
• Burn Institute: Home
• Charity Navigator: Burn Institute
• GuideStar: Burn Institute
• Burn Institute: Camp Beyond the Scars
• Burn Institute: Burn Survivor Events
• Burn Institute: Burn Survivor Programs
• Burn Institute: Impact
• Burn Institute: Donate
• Burn Institute: Special Events
• Burn Institute: Volunteer 
• Global Empowerment Mission: Home
• Charity Navigator: Global Empowerment Mission
• GuideStar: Global Empowerment Mission
• Global Empowerment Mission: Operations
• Global Empowerment Mission: Maui Wildfires
• Global Empowerment Mission: Latin America Wildfires
• Global Empowerment Mission: 2023 Video Annual Report
• Global Empowerment Mission: California Wildfires
• Global Empowerment Mission: Hurricane Dorian
• Global Empowerment Mission: Donate
• Global Empowerment Mission: Donate Supplies
• Global Empowerment Mission: Volunteer
• American Red Cross: Home
• American Red Cross: Clara Barton
• Charity Navigator: American Red Cross
• GuideStar: American Red Cross
• American Red Cross: Wildfire Relief
• American Red Cross: 2018 California Wildfires
• American Red Cross: 2023 Hawaii Wildfire
• American Red Cross: Donate
• American Red Cross: Volunteer
• American Red Cross: Give Blood
• Americares: Home
• Americares: About Us
• Charity Navigator: Americares
• GuideStar: Americares
• Americares: Respond
• Americares: Recover
• Americares: Mental Health
• Americares: Mother and Child Health
• Americares: Diabetes and Hypertension
• Americares: FAQ
• Americares: Puerto Rico
• Americares: Donate
• Americares: Volunteer
• Americares: Product Donations
• American Burn Association: Home
• Wikipedia: American Burn Association.
• Charity Navigator: American Burn Association
• American Burn Association: Verification
• American Burn Association: Education
• American Burn Association: ABLS
• American Burn Association: Burn Surgeon Conference
• American Burn Association: 2023 Annual Report
• American Burn Association: Donate
• American Burn Association: Events
• American Burn Association: Burn First Aid
• American Burn Association: Member Services
• Convoy of Hope: Home
• Charity Navigator: Convoy of Hope
• GuideStar: Convoy of Hope
• Convoy of Hope: Disaster Services
• Convoy of Hope: Maui Wildfire
• Convoy of Hope: Donate
• Convoy of Hope: Donate: Disaster Services
• Convoy of Hope: Volunteer
• Convoy of Hope: Attend an Event