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Glenview, IL (Jan. 20, 2010) – How much will Americans end up donating to the Haitian earthquake relief efforts? If past disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the Asian tsunami provide guidance for today’s efforts, the result is likely to be in the billions. In 2006, for example, Giving USA Foundation reported that American individuals, corporations and foundations donated $7.37 billion in 2005 for disaster relief in the aftermaths of the hurricanes that struck the Gulf Coast of the United States, the Asian tsunami and an earthquake in Pakistan. An additional $1.17 billion was raised for hurricane relief in 2006. Giving USA Foundation and Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits, urge citizens to give wisely, yet cautiously. The two organizations, headquartered in Glenview, Ill., have been tracking charitable contributions since 1954, and also provide advice to non-profit organizations around the world. The emotionally draining images being broadcast are riveting and striking, and bolster the natural desire of Americans to respond to need; they donated an estimated $307.65 billion to charity in 2008. Facts are hard to come by right now from the island nation of Haiti, and they keep changing hour-by-hour as the world tries to come to grips with the devastation suffered there in the aftermath of the 7.0 earthquake last Tuesday. Americans—generous by nature–are looking for the best ways to aid those who need it most. Looking to lessons learned in the aftermath of recent disasters, Foundation Chair Edith H. Falk, CFRE, and Institute Chair Nancy L. Raybin, speaking on behalf of the 35 member firms of Giving Institute and the board of the Foundation, offer advice to both non-profits working in the trenches of relief efforts and to Americans who want to help. First, for relief organizations, don’t overlook corporate partners. Corporations donated $1.38 billion in 2005 for disaster relief efforts. While, as always, the bulk of donations came from individuals ($5.83 billion in 2005), companies can have a role to play in this most-recent crisis. If past is, indeed, prologue, then the bulk of the donations will go to human service organizations providing for basic needs, such as the Red Cross. For smaller organizations that do not have the same high profile as the Red Cross, getting your message out to donors will be difficult, but not impossible. With this crisis, electronic communications such as text messaging, Facebook, Twitter and email seem to be driving the appeals process; use these tools to alert potential donors of the work you do, and provide back-up information on your website. Make it easy for potential donors to feel comfortable that their contribution is going to be used responsibly. For individuals looking to do the most good with their dollars, the two groups provide the following advice:
Those looking to donate time, supplies or funds should contact the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) at 703/276-1914, or visit them online. “The news coming out daily just reinforces the need for America to help its island neighbor,” said Raybin. “We at the Institute stand ready to advise charities on their best plan of action now during this time of turmoil and tumult and over the next several months.” Added Falk, “As the source for data on charitable giving, we will be watching closely to see how America responds to this tragedy in the coming weeks and months, and to what degree social media influences giving. Of course, just like with past disasters, once the earthquake news is replaced by other headlines, the need will continue to exist, so we encourage Americans to give thoughtfully and often.” About Giving USA Foundation™ About Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits: |
Giving Institute & GivingUSA Foundation: Katrina, Tsunami Lessons Can Drive Haiti Fundraising