Philanthropy Roundtable’s Free to Give campaign elevates the voices of everyday Americans who have dedicated their careers to supporting those in need. Their work is made possible by the freedom of all Americans to give to the causes and communities they care about most.
Unprecedented tornadoes across the Midwest have destroyed communities, left hundreds of thousands without power and have already claimed the lives of over two dozen people.
Amid the heartbreak and devastation, nonprofit community organizations are stepping in to provide food, water, supplies and volunteers to help rebuild the lives of those who have lost everything, including those in their own communities.
Convoy of Hope, Salvation Army and Operation Blessing are three organizations responding quickly to tornadoes across the Midwest. They recently shared why policies that encourage the freedom to give are essential to their response and recovery efforts to help those who are hurting.
If you are looking for ways to give, please consider the following organizations:
Convoy of Hope
Based in Springfield, Missouri, Convoy of Hope is quickly responding to tornadoes across Kentucky and Missouri by deploying disaster response teams and holding large-scale distribution of relief supplies like tarps, contractor bags, rakes and other supplies to hard-hit communities. They’ve already served more than 10,000 people and distributed more than 195,000 pounds of relief supplies in response to the storms that occurred on May 16, 2025. In collaboration with first responders in Laurel County, Kentucky, they are supplying solar-powered generators to provide temporary power until service is fully restored after record breaking winds left thousands in the dark.
“Freedom to give is essential for Convoy of Hope to meet the needs of hurting people across this country and around the world. When people are free to give to an organization like Convoy of Hope when they see a disaster, it allows us to immediately respond with the help and hope people need in a time of crisis. As an organization that depends on churches, individuals and corporations for partnerships, Convoy is incredibly grateful for donors who are like-minded and generous so we can serve survivors together.” — Ethan Forhetz, vice president of public engagement, Convoy of Hope
Operation Blessing
Operation Blessing has been quick to deploy their fleet of trucks to some of the hardest hit areas affected by the tornadoes across the Midwest. With their vast warehouses of supplies, Operation Blessing has provided food, water, personal items and more to those in need in the immediate aftermath of the storms over the past several weeks.
Their team is currently working to bring aid to one of the hardest hit areas in Kentucky and plans on partnering with the local church to help provide relief like water, meal kits, hygiene kits and cleaning supplies to bring hope to the hurting. They are dedicated to demonstrating God’s love by alleviating human need and suffering in the United States and around the world.
“In the U.S., the ability to give directly to causes that matter to you is a powerful driver of the nonprofit sector. It allows a wide range of organizations to grow and thrive, each one uniquely shaped by the values of the people who support them. For nonprofits like Operation Blessing, that freedom means we can stay responsive, innovative and mission-focused—serving people in need with compassion, creativity and purpose.” — Drew Friedrich, chief operating officer, Operation Blessing International
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is committed to providing crucial assistance in the aftermath of the tornadoes across the Midwest and stay as long as they are needed. They recently committed to invest $900,000 in tornado relief to dozens of communities in Missouri and southern Illinois. The Salvation Army is providing food, water, clean-up kits, blankets, shelter and financial assistance to survivors.
“Philanthropy thrives when individuals have the freedom to give where their hearts lead them, and at The Salvation Army, we recognize that generosity is deeply personal. Whether donors choose to support local, year-round services or disaster relief efforts impacting a community not their own, their contributions drive meaningful, sometimes life-saving change. Maintaining donor privacy and freedom ensures that charitable giving remains a cornerstone of compassion and community transformation, helping the millions who rely on nonprofit organizations across the country.” — Dale Bannon, national community relations and development director for The Salvation Army
