As the tragedy of the Surfside, Florida building collapse unfolds, many will seek to help victims and their families. BBB Wise Giving Alliance provides the following advice to help make wise contribution decisions.

• Consider experienced disaster assistance organizations. Charities with a track record provide an opportunity for donors to check them out before making a donation. BBB Wise Giving Alliance urges contributors to seek charities that meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. For example, American Red Cross and Salvation Army (National Corporation) have issued the following statements: American Red Cross Statement on Surfside Assistance and Salvation Army Statement on Surfside Assistance.

• Verify collaborations. If an appeal announces it is a combined fundraising effort of a number of organizations, verify this collaboration by visiting the websites of the participants.

• Seek more details on new organizations. Newly created organizations, although well-intended, are difficult to vet. However, consider asking (1) Who’s in charge? Is there a governing board identified on the website that provides oversight? and (2) Do the appeals and website clearly identify what planned activities will be funded? In general, the more details provided, the more likely the Surfside assistance efforts will be managed well.

As some potential donors may turn to crowdfunding sites during times like this, we offer these additional points:

• How are crowdfunding sites different? Some crowdfunding platforms vet postings and projects better than others. Check out the site’s description of its procedures.
• Are photos used with permission? Some crowdfunding postings use pictures of victims without the family’s permission. Don’t assume there is a special connection just because a photo appears.
• How will collected funds be used? Will the funds be used to help pay for funerals, medical expenses, or some other purpose? Be cautious if the description is vague.
• How to avoid duplication of effort? Review recent announcements from government agencies and other institutions that address how they will be assisting victims. This can help donors identify crowdfunding postings that might be duplicating those efforts.
• What is the safest crowdfunding option?  It is safest to give to crowdfunding postings of people you personally know. If that is not possible, the next best circumstance is to find out if the funds collected by a posting are going to be forwarded and distributed by an established charitable organization. In that case, the organization can be checked out and the involvement of a third-party organization can provide an additional level of oversight and assurance.

For additional information and advice on giving, visit our website at Give.org or the Better Business Bureau at BBB.org .