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Updated Friday, September 1, at 6:30 p.m. ET

After Hurricane Harvey and dropped , thousands of people in Houston and along the Gulf Coast have been displaced. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott activated the entire Texas National Guard.

FEMA Administrator Brock Long estimated Monday that 30,000 people may need shelter, and some 450,000 may qualify for federal flood victim assistance.

As on the Gulf Coast and floodwaters rise, many organizations are doing vital work to help save lives and give comfort.

Here's a list of some of the organizations that are undertaking this work and how you can contribute to them.

Of course, NPR isn't endorsing or vouching for any of these groups. It's a good idea to do a bit of research on any charity before you donate to it. One place to start is .

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner established a Harvey relief fund at . The organization donors with a network of nonprofits and innovative solutions in the social sector.

, which calls itself the largest global crowdfunding community, has a goal of raising $2 million for its Harvey relief fund. Funds will be used first for immediate needs of food, water and shelter and then transition to long-term recovery efforts.

has launched a relief fund for storm-related needs and recovery. The organization says it already maintains a disaster relief fund but anticipates the needs of Harvey will far exceed those existing resources.

has also launched a Hurricane Harvey relief fund. The organization emphasizes "investing well rather than investing quickly, addressing the greatest needs and gaps in funding that may be yet to emerge."

, based in New Orleans, got its start rebuilding in St.Bernard Parish after Hurricane Katrina. The organization provides advisory services to local leaders and nonprofits, and deploys Americorps members to do mucking, gutting, and rebuilding. The organization focuses on using efficient processes to speed recovery.

, the social fundraising site, has created a landing page that gathers the campaigns on its platform related to Harvey.

says it is providing food and water to first responders and preparing for massive feeding efforts for residents.

says its teams began responding before Harvey made landfall and continues on-the-ground relief work.

is accepting donations as well as volunteers for Harvey disaster relief for the coming months.

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is providing funding and emergency health kits to community health centers in Texas. The contents of the health kits are based on the organization's experience in previous hurricanes, and include items such as insulin, asthma inhalers, and anti-hypertensive medication.

The has set up a disaster relief fund to help dialysis patients affected by the storm.

In addition to the , local organizations accepting blood donations are and the .

coordinates the city's response to homelessness, serving as "a backbone organization" to groups that offer direct service. It has been providing .

has set up an urgent accommodations site, where people can open their homes to evacuees from the storm or find shelter themselves. Service fees are waived through Sept. 25.

A number of food banks will be aiding the affected region. , as it allows a food bank to use your donation most efficiently.

is a statewide nonprofit that works alongside state and federal relief efforts. it steps in during major disasters to "coordinate with the state and other providers so that relief reaches families quickly and the 'second disaster' of an unorganized response is avoided."

Here is its list of food banks in Texas likely to be affected by Harvey:

(Victoria)

(Beaumont)

(Pharr)

(Bryan)

(Austin)

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

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Getty Images

facilitates projects involving people with disabilities, including post-disaster relief work. The organization for Inclusive Disaster Strategies has received urgent requests from people in need.

Noting that many people over age 50 are victims of the storm, has created a Harvey relief fund. AARP and its foundation will match contributions up to a total of $1.5 million.

is providing relief supplies and services to help children and families in shelters and other victims of Hurricane Harvey.

The , based in San Antonio, works to meet the basic needs of vulnerable babies, children with disabilities, and seniors. It providing partner agencies with diapers and goods.

is organizing evacuations of pets in Texas (including ) and offers on pet-friendly housing for evacuees.

says it has to its shelter. The organization seeks donations, as well as people who can adopt animals. It says it has received so many donated supplies that it's running out of storage space, so financial donations are what it needs most.

has deployed two 50-foot rescue trucks staffed with voluteers, veterinarians, and first-responders. They're also distributing 100,000 pounds of pet food and assisting with shelter operations in Houston.

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