4. Think beyond the immediate crisis to the long-term.
5. Bear in mind the expertise of local organizations.
6. Find out how prospective grantees operate.
7. Be accountable to those you are trying to help.
8. Communicate your work widely, and use it as an educational tool.
Haiti Disaster Response
Updated: February 3, 2010 at 4:21pm ET
IRS Announces Qualified Disaster Treatment for Haiti: On Friday, January 22, the IRS designated the earthquake in Haiti as a qualified disaster for federal tax purposes. This allows recipients of qualified disaster relief payments to exclude those payments from income on their tax returns. Also, the guidance allows employer-sponsored private foundations to assist victims in areas affected by the earthquake in Haiti without affecting their tax-exempt status. Read the notice and full announcement from the IRS.
On January 15, Council President and CEO Steve Gunderson sent the IRS a letter requesting the "qualified disaster" declaration. To assist its members—particularly those corporate foundations—with the implications of this designation, the Council prepared a brief guide. Also see the Council’s Legal FAQs on Disaster Grantmaking.
MESSAGE FROM STEVE GUNDERSON President and CEO, Council on Foundations
Philanthropy is different than charity. Traditionally, philanthropy reflects long-term strategic investments in creating real change. But in times of national and/or natural disaster, both respond in short-term ways that can be most helpful.
The recent devastation in Haiti reflects the kind of disasters that call philanthropy to action. We can and should do our part in addressing the immediate rescue and relief aspects of this global disaster. Then, we can and will consider how philanthropy engages in rebuilding and reconstruction, over time.
Many of our infrastructure colleagues already are connecting our sector to enhance the impact and effectiveness of our philanthropic dollars. We encourage Council members and the broader field to work with those organizations that best reflect their interests. We will do our best to monitor and share information on the immediate needs in Haiti and organizations mobilizing resources in country.
Let us know how you are assisting—whether directly to Haiti, through a partner organization or through those in your local communities—so we can share the information with others in our field. Please send your information and updates to , so that we can include your activities on our site.
As we reminded ourselves during the U.S. economic crisis, leadership moments are not scheduled. If philanthropy’s mission is to serve the common good, this is indeed one of those moments.
Philanthropy’s Response
To date, Council members have pledged nearly $76 million in relief and recovery efforts to Haiti. Continue to send updates on your efforts to , and we’ll include them here
Community Foundations
The Albuquerque Community Foundation has invited fellow partners in the New Mexico Collaboration to End Hunger to donate money for hunger relief for the victims of the earthquake. Funds received by the end of the day Friday, January 15th will be sent to the United Nations World Food Program. As a very food-insecure state in the United States, we felt this would be meaningful to those in Haiti who are also very food insecure, especially now.
The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation has dedicated a page on its website, How to Help Haiti, to encourage local donors to provide financial support to those organizations that have experience in providing immediate disaster relief and a long-term presence in Haiti. Links to Network for Good and Guidestar are also provided to allow donors to conduct their own research.
Baltimore Community Foundation has appealed to its donors and encouraged them to give through one of the four international relief organizations that have headquarters in Baltimore
The Boston Foundation announced the creation of The Haiti Fund at the Boston Foundation. All contributions to this fund will be matched dollar for dollar up to $1 million by the Ansara Family Fund at the Boston Foundation to focus on longer-term human rights and reconstruction issues in Haiti.
The California Community Foundation (CCF) created a Haiti Relief Fund to support relief efforts and announced that it will grant nearly $1 million to support relief efforts. To date, CCF has raised $913,300, including a $250,000 matching gift from the foundation.
The Central Carolina Community Foundation will present a check in the amount of $20,000 to our local Red Cross Chapter for Haitian relief efforts.
The Chicago Community Trust, has a message on its home page that links to specific information on how its donors can support the relief effort.
The Cleveland Foundation authorized an immediate grant of $25,000 to a local nonprofit, MedWish, which collects and sends excess medical supplies to third world countries and which has stepped up to dramatically increase its shipments to Haiti. We have also worked with our various donor advised funds to help them support MedWish or identify other charities that are responding.
The Communities Foundation of Texas was asked to facilitate and coordinate giving to support the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund by former president George W. Bush. This initiative represents a partnership between the Communities Foundation of Texas and the William J. Clinton Foundation to facilitate giving to identified charitable agencies assisting in relief and recovery efforts in Haiti.
The Community Foundation Boulder County sent a letter to its donors in response to numerous requests for suggestions on how to help. The foundation offered suggestions of both first responder and second responder organizations providing immediate relief and long-term recovery in Haiti.
Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation has committed 100% of any donations it receives for Haiti to be sent to AmeriCares. For those who wish to make donations through the Foundation, you may make those donations cash, checks or credit card. Please call the Foundation at 218-999-9100 or visit their Web site.
The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque has partnered with the Telegraph Herald newspaper of Dubuque, IA to establish the Haiti Relief Fund. The fund will address the long-term needs of victims including recovery, cleanup and support. The Dubuque community has been informed of the fund through articles and ads running in the newspaper. Online donations are being accepted through the foundation’s Web site.
The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne approved a $10,000 grant to Doctors without Borders from its Emergency Fund. Additionally, a letter went to all their donors who have donor advised funds, providing them with a list of vetted organizations already on the ground providing relief efforts.
The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis has added to its home page a statement and list of relief organizations as well as a link to the Council’s Disaster Grantmaking page.
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven announced the creation of The NAACP Haitian Fund to support relief and reconstruction efforts in Haiti as a result of the devastation caused by the January 12, 2010 earthquake. Contributions may be made online.
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia established the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund and announced that all donations would be matched up to $12,000 by the Community Foundation and contributed from the Fund to the American Red Cross for emergency relief efforts in Haiti.
The Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County has posted information on its Web site for donors and community members wanting to find ways to help. The information has been gathered from the Council on Foundations, media and its own research. See Haiti Earthquake: How You Can Help. News releases were sent to local media as well as responses to a number of story inquiries.
Community Foundation Sonoma County has notified its donor advisors and added a page to its website with suggestions for agencies providing disaster relief. It also includes links to the Council’s "Disaster Grantmaking: A Practical Guide for Foundations and Corporations” and the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy's guide to diaster response.
The Dayton Foundation has dedicated a page on its Web site with suggestions of organizations providing disaster relief.
The Delaware Black Caucus established an emergency relief fund at the Delaware Community Foundation in response to Haiti's devastating earthquake. To contribute, click on our Make a Donation button and type in Delaware Black Caucus Haiti Relief Fund.
The East Bay Community Foundation issued a special statement on its Web site to encourage donations to several relief agencies providing on-the-ground assistance.
The Fremont Area Community Foundation has added a page to its Web site encouraging monetary donations to organizations that are experienced in disaster relief and have a presence in the country with a list of 11 possible organizations.
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation has a page on its Web site with suggestions of organizations with staff in Haiti for foundation donors who want to help.
The Greater New Orleans Foundation is creating a Fund for Haiti that will support rebuilding work in Port au Prince and other affected areas.
The Greater Worcester Community Foundation has notified its donors and added a statement to its Web site with suggestions for agencies providing disaster relief.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation has added a statement on its Web site with suggestions for agencies providing disaster relief.
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has added a page to its Web site, with a link from the homepage, which provides guidance for foundation donors who want to help.
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta has listed several key organizations working on the ground to provide relief. We’ve also listed opportunities to support current fundraising efforts for our next generation donors or those looking to make smaller contributions. Donors who would like to make a gift from their fund, please contact your philanthropic advisor, Audrey, Rob, Erin or Barrett, at 404-688-5525.
Advisors to one of donor-advised funds from the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties made grants to two organizations that are providing aid in Haiti: Partners in Health and St. Boniface Haiti Foundation. Both grants were made from the James C. O’Shea Family Fund.
The Madison Community Foundation (MCF) extended the mid-month deadline for distributions so that funds could yet be tapped in January to send contributions to the Haiti relief effort. MCF will expedite contributions and can assist non-fundholders in sending contributions where needed. The foundation sent an email to all constituents and concerned parties; a message is also posted on their Web site that includes names of suggested organizations already mobilized for action.
The Maine Community Foundation has updated its home page to provide a statement and links to two reputable New England-based charities for people who wish to do their giving at a more local and regional level.
Minnesota Community Foundation and The Saint Paul Foundation have responded to the earthquake in Haiti by directing donors to online giving opportunities. For ideas about supporting relief work, the Foundations' Web site suggests visitors review the Council on Foundations’ list of NGO organizations assisting in relief efforts and GiveMN.org, that features both national and regional nonprofits that are part of the Haiti relief effort. GiveMN.org has more than 30 Haiti-related Minnesota-associated nonprofits listed on its site.
The Montgomery County Foundation, Inc. has established the Haiti Relief Fund in collaboration with the Montgomery County Commissioners and local businesses. One local business has agreed to match some of the donations, and MCF is pursuing others.
Oklahoma City Community Foundation (OCCF) established the Haiti Earthquake Recovery Fund on January 13. The media was informed and a story was posted on the foundation's homepage. As with the Asian tsunami recovery fund established in 2005, OCCF will use 100 percent of the contributions to go toward intermediate and long-term recovery programs in Haiti.
The Parkersburg Community Foundation is a small community foundation serving 11 rural counties. The board is approving a $1,000 grant to the American Red Cross and asking the 110+ donors to match our its gift to the fullest extent that they can.
The Philadelphia Foundation announced the creation of two funds to provide relief for Haiti: Philadelphia’s Haiti Relief Fund and The Haiti Earthquake Recovery Fund. The Foundation shared news about the funds with its donors, professional advisors, general public and media through a special edition enewsletter, which also included links to organizations responding to the crisis.
Pittsburgh-based organizations mobilizing to support the emergency relief effort in Haiti can receive public donations free of credit card fees through PittsburghGives, the new on-line giving resource developed by The Pittsburgh Foundation.
The Taos Community Foundation has a fund for the purpose of responding the disasters. The Jackrabbit Emergency Relief Fund will connect gifts directly with colleagues giving resources that will make a difference in the lives of Haitian disaster victims. We will send 100% of the contributions directly to the LAMBI FUND, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
The Triangle Community Foundation in North Carolina has established a Disaster Relief Fund to aid immediate and long term recovery efforts in Haiti, and is providing donors a list of organizations to support directly. The Lenovo Hope Fund for Disaster Relief is also accepting direct contributions from Lenovo employees to support relief efforts.
The San Antonio Area Foundation placed on its Web site a video message from its President/CEO regarding the Haiti Earthquake disaster and included links to several organizations who are providing relief assistance and an appeal to our donors and the community to contribute to the relief efforts.
The Seattle Foundation has established a fund for donors to pool their resources together and support rebuilding efforts in Haiti.
Silicon Valley Community Foundation has announced the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund which will match donations dollar for dollar up to $50,000 thanks to the generosity of one of our donor advised funds
Springfield Foundation has added a special statement to the front page of their Web site directing all contributions be sent to the local chapter of the American Red Cross. Springfield Foundation will assist donors with Funds with distributions from their Fund.
Corporate Foundations and Giving Programs
Abbott and the Abbott Fund are expanding overall support for relief efforts in Haiti. The company will provide $2.5 million in grant funding and donations of critical pharmaceutical and nutritional products to humanitarian aid organizations. Initial support from the Abbott Fund for earthquake recovery efforts was $1 million and includes grants to four of Abbott's trusted humanitarian aid partners: American Red Cross, CARE, Catholic Medical Mission Board and Partners In Health.
The Aetna Foundation has identified six organizations that will each receive $10,000 immediately to help fund their relief efforts. This $60,000 in Haitian relief contributions will be nearly doubled by an estimated $25,000 that Aetna employees have already pledged to relief efforts, which is being matched by the Aetna Foundation dollar for dollar for an additional $25,000.
The Allstate Foundation has made a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross to assist with humanitarian relief efforts. In addition, the foundation has created a donation Web site in partnership with the American Red Cross that allows employees to make a personal donation directly to the relief organization. The Foundation will match every dollar that employees contribute up to an additional $200,000, for a total commitment of $300,000.
American Express announced that it will donate $250,000 to assist the following organizations with their relief efforts: the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, International Rescue Committee and the United Nations' Friends of the World Food program. American Express will also match employee donations for relief efforts.
Ameriprise Financial annually makes a donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and the American Red Cross International Response Fund. This year Ameriprise contributed $125,000. In addition, we created at one-time special gift matching program open to all Ameriprise Financial employees, employee advisors and franchise advisors and will match contributions to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund up to $100,000. This program will remain open until Feb. 28. Employees and employee advisors also can request a gift match (up to $2,000 annually) to a relief organization through the Ameriprise Financial Gift Matching Program.
Amgen will donate $2 million to aid disaster relief efforts in Haiti. The funds will be split equally between the American Red Cross, International Medical Corps, Direct Relief International and UNICEF. The Amgen Foundation has also deployed its Disaster Relief Program web site for Amgen staff around the globe who wish to contribute their own funds to designated organizations aiding in the relief and rebuilding efforts. The Amgen Foundation will match staff contributions dollar for dollar via this relief site.
The AXA Foundation made a $250,000 grant to the Annual Disaster Giving Program of the American Red Cross. AXA Equitable employees who donate to the relief effort can use the AXA Disaster Relief Matching Gifts program.
Bank of America has made a $1 million commitment to aid the victims of the earthquake in Haiti and will match employee pledges. The commitment includes a $500,000 grant to the American Red Cross; the remaining $500,000 contribution will be directed towards long-term recovery efforts. In addition, the bank will be accepting donations for the American Red Cross Haitian Relief Efforts at all U.S. Banking Centers and waiving foreign transaction fees for customers making donations via debit or credit cards.
Baxter and The Baxter International Foundation have committed $2.5 million to support disaster relief efforts in response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The Foundation approved $350,000 in grants to support both immediate, acute-care and longer-term needs of the region. The Foundation is also activating its Employee Disaster Relief Matching Gift Program that will match employee contributions on a dollar for dollar basis up to a maximum of $150,000. In addition, Baxter is collaborating closely with humanitarian aid partners, AmeriCares and Direct Relief International, to ensure that they have access to critical IV solutions, antibiotics, and other vital drugs for the organizations' relief efforts in the region.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) has donated $10,000 to the American Red Cross to aid the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. BCBSF has also launched an employee disaster relief matching gift fund that will match employee contributions to the American Red Cross dollar for dollar.
Caterpillar and its dealer network are mobilizing product, personnel and resources to help assist the governmental and NGO agencies responding to this disaster. The Caterpillar Foundation is making an initial contribution of $200,000 to International Red Cross and Red Crescent relief efforts and will also match dollar for dollar Caterpillar employee, retiree and Cat dealer employee financial contributions to the Red Cross of up to $100,000 made through February 13, 2010. Fully leveraged, the combined disaster relief will equal $400,000. In addition to this financial contribution, the Caterpillar Foundation has several proactive disaster relief recovery and rebuilding efforts already in place to help immediately when a disaster occurs (funds with Red Cross, World Food Programme, CHF International and Pan American Development Foundation). We are continuing to work with these agencies to assess additional needs.
The Cisco Foundation is making a $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross toward immediate response efforts, and the Cisco Foundation will also match up to $1 million for employee contributions. Cisco is also in contact with our customers and NGO partners in the region and continue to monitor the situation and evaluate our ongoing response to the disaster.
The Cummins Foundation has committed $250,000 to the long-term recovery effort in Haiti. We are engaging a group of Haitian employees, as well as our local distributor, to help us identify appropriate re-building projects focused within one of the Foundation’s three global priority areas: education, the environment and social justice.
Citigroup Inc. announced a $2 million commitment for immediate relief and recovery efforts. Citi will give $250,000 to the American Red Cross for immediate relief and the remainder will be given to local partners for medium to long-term reconstruction efforts.
Deutsche Bank Global Markets Equity group has raised $4 million for Haiti disaster relief through its commitment to donate a day of net US agency equity trading commissions to the cause. The funds raised will directly support immediate relief activities and long-term rebuilding efforts for the people of Haiti. In addition to the funds raised through the trading commissions, Deutsche Bank also is offering unlimited, expedited matching gifts to employees through the Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation's Matching Gifts Program and has lifted the $5,000 maximum limit.
DuPont will make a donation of $100,000 through the American Red Cross for relief efforts in Haiti. We have encouraged employees who wish to make a personal donation to do so through recognized national or international aid organizations or through local charitable and religious groups to ensure that donations get to where they are needed most.
The eBay Foundation is providing $100,000 in support to American Red Cross, Save the Children, and Oxfam. The foundation is also matching its global employees’ donations up to $250 to these organizations through Feb. 28. Through its eBay Giving Works homepage, eBay’s 90 million users can buy, sell and/or donate items with proceeds going to Save the Children, American Red Cross, and other nonprofits involved in the Haiti relief effort. PayPal is waiving the processing fees for donations to Save the Children for the next 30 days and has implemented onsite placements where people can click to donate. For a limited time, when buyers purchase an item on ebay.com in the U.S. and the U.K., they can donate during checkout to one of several charitable organizations focused on relief and recovery. As of noon January 15th, the eBay community raised nearly $130,000 through this Give@Checkout campaign.
Entergy has created a fund that will match employee donations to the American Red Cross for Haitian earthquake relief up to $50,000. The company has seeded the fund with an initial $10,000 donation.
The General Mills Foundation will provide $250,000 to support disaster relief and long-term rebuilding efforts in Haiti. The Foundation will make a grant in the amount of $100,000 to the American Red Cross International Disaster Relief Fund and $150,000 to CARE International for long-term rebuilding efforts.
First Data Corporation announced that it will commit $100,000 for disaster relief in Haiti. Half of the donation will aid in immediate relief and ongoing recovery efforts and half will be contributed toward future rebuilding efforts. The company also is encouraging its more than 25,000 global employees to help by donating to any eligible U.S.-based relief agency responding to the disaster and will match employee donations. First Data has established a way for employees to donate directly to UNICEF, where the company will automatically match any eligible employee donation with a two-for-one match through January 31, 2010.
The Falconbridge Foundation in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and Haiti's neighbor is collecting aid for the Haitians. For many years they have worked with Bono Center in Santo Domingo, Santiago Bellarmine Center and Radio Maria in Dajabon, which guarantees that donations reach the hands of the needy in Haiti. For more information please call the Foundation office: (809) 686-0727 or email:
The Funeral Service Foundation, in partnership with the National Funeral Directors Association, and with the generous donations of funeral service, has established a Haiti Disaster Relief Fund. Monies raised will be used for humanitarian relief including mortuary affairs efforts.
The General Mills Foundation will provide $250,000 to support disaster relief and long-term rebuilding efforts in Haiti. The Foundation will make a grant in the amount of $100,000 to the American Red Cross International Disaster Relief Fund and $150,000 to CARE International for long-term rebuilding efforts. The General Mills Foundation will also provide a dollar-for-dollar match of employee contributions for Haiti earthquake relief to the American Red Cross up to $50,000.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has initiated a program of support for Haiti by medicines valued at $1.4 million.
The Home Depot Foundation and The Home Depot together are making a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross for their relief efforts in Haiti. In addition, The Home Depot Foundation is matching individual gifts up to $1,000 from The Home Depot’s associates to disaster relief organizations that are assisting in this effort. We will remain in touch with the American Red Cross and other relief agencies to assess the situation and determine how else we might be able to help.
The Humana Foundation, philanthropic arm of Humana Inc., is contributing $100,000 for immediate support of earthquake-relief efforts in Haiti, after the most devastating natural disaster to hit the island nation in modern times. The Foundation will also match – dollar for dollar – contributions from Humana associates up to $50,000 – for a total possible Humana Foundation donation of $150,000.
Intel Corporation and the Intel Foundation together have committed over $2.19 million in assistance for relief and recovery efforts in Haiti. The Foundation approved a $250,000 cash grant in addition to matching employee donations, which currently top $750,00. Intel Corporation has committed up to $450,000 in in-kind donations to assist with recovery. More than 4,000 employees have donated $740,000 through the employee match program from the Intel Foundation, with many more involved in site-based fundraising events.
International Paper is making an initial donation of $50,000 to the American Red Cross. Additionally, the chairman has sent a letter to all employees asking them to make a contribution through the International Paper Employee Relief Fund, where employee contributions will be matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000 for a total contribution of $250,000.
Kaiser Permanente is pledging $500,000 in financial support for immediate disaster relief to the following organizations: Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Relief International (RI), MedShare, and Operation USA.
KPMG is providing a minimum of $500,000 through member firms from around the world to support the short term relief and long term recovery of Haiti through corporate contributions, employee donations and matching.
Levi Strauss Foundation is providing $75,000 in grants to non-profit organizations dedicated to the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti: a $50,000 grant to Oxfam America to support immediate relief efforts, including clean water, shelter, sanitation, and recovery assistance, and a $25,000 grant to Partners in Health to address urgent health needs in the wake of the crisis -- including HIV/AIDS. Levi Strauss & Co. is encouraging its employees to donate to the relief efforts, providing matching contributions to three organizations: Save the Children, World Vision and Oxfam America.
The Liberty Mutual Foundation made an immediate $250,000 donation to the Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund and the Liberty Mutual Group is making a 1-to-1 match (up to $250,000) on employee gifts to relief organizations.
The M∙A∙C AIDS Fund (MAF) is committing $500,000 to emergency relief efforts. These funds will go to MAF’s three key partners in Haiti: the Clinton Foundation, Partners in Health, and GHEISKO as well as general disaster relief efforts. These organizations are working to deliver emergency medical care, food and supplies.
Macy's has pledged $50,000 to the American Red Cross for disaster relief. They will match employees' gifts to eligible relief agencies dollar for dollar up to a maximum of $22,500 annually.
Mattel, Inc. is making a donation of $10,000 (USD) to Save the Children, a Mattel philanthropic Signature Partner. Save the Children has been one of the first responders in Haiti, in part because of its more than 20 years of providing services there to children in need. In addition, Mattel continues to support the American Red Cross in its efforts around disaster relief globally. Mattel Children's Foundation has opened its Matching Gifts program to international employee disaster relief donations. This program will double the impact of individual employee donations with a match to a US-registered charity supporting the current disaster relief efforts. In addition, Mattel continues to support the American Red Cross in its efforts around disaster relief globally. Recently, Mattel made a $15,000 (USD) donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which was set up to enable the American Red Cross to immediately respond to disasters locally and globally.
McDonald's Corporation announced a donation of $500,000 to be matched with donations from Arcos Dorados, the company that operates nearly 1,700 McDonald's restaurants in Latin America. These combined contributions are estimated to total at least $1 million.
McKesson Corporation has donated more than $200,000 in cash and medical supplies. Funding and much needed supplies including crutches, orthopedic braces, gauze, masks and mosquito nets were donated to relief organizations World Vision International and the Red Cross. McKesson employees donations to 501c3 organizations involved in the response effort are matched dollar-for-dollar. As part of McKesson’s work with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, McKesson is also supporting HHS response teams by quickly fulfilling orders of vaccines and medicines bound for Haiti. The McKesson team stands ready to continue to support the relief effort as needs are identified on the ground.
Medtronic announced that it has pledged $1 million through the Medtronic Foundation to support earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. The $1 million is comprised of $750,000 in Foundation grants directed to the rebuilding of healthcare infrastructure in Haiti, and the Foundation will match employee donations up to $250,000, with matching funds directed to Partners in Health for short-term relief. The Foundation is currently assessing potential nonprofit partners to lead the longer-term rebuilding efforts. Employees worldwide also are offered five days of paid leave to assist in recovery efforts. In addition to monetary contributions, the company is actively exploring product donations with several partners already working in Haiti. Contributions could exceed $1.25 million when including product and employee donations. These donations are in addition to an existing five-year, $500,000 grant to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies disaster relief fund, which ensures that immediate financial support is available for responding to emergencies.
MetLife Foundation has responded to the Haitian disaster by donating $250,000 to support immediate relief and longer-term efforts to the following organizations: AmeriCares, Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres and Oxfam America.
Motorola, the Motorola Foundation and Motorola employees have pledged more than $1.6 million in cash and in-kind products to support earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. The Motorola Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola, has increased to $475,000 its total cash donations to the American Red Cross and other relief agencies, and Motorola employees have generously donated more than $140,000 to the Red Cross. In addition to cash donations, Motorola and the Motorola Foundation are providing more than $1 million in products such as two-way radios, rugged laptops, mobile phones and other equipment to assist our customers, non-profit organizations and other relief agencies with on-the-ground efforts.
New York Life is making a $100,000 dontation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund for Haiti and will match employee/agent/retiree gifts up to $150,000 for any of eight organizations offered to our donors.
Northrop Grumman Corporation announced that it will provide up to $1 million to aid earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. The company will contribute $500,000 through five agencies supporting the Haiti recovery effort: AmeriCares, American Red Cross International, World Vision International, CARE, and the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund. The company has committed another $500,000 to an employee matching gift program for earthquake relief.
Regence Foundation donated $50,000 to Medical Teams International, a humanitarian aid organization that dispatches teams of doctors and trained volunteers to provide medical assistance to areas throughout the world. The organization has already deployed teams to the region to provide desperately needed help. Follow on Twitter: @RegenceGives.
The Royal Bank of Canada(RBC) announced a $100,000 donation to the Red Cross to support relief and humanitarian efforts in Haiti. In addition, the RBC Foundation - USA, the charitable giving arm for RBC Wealth Management in the United States, and the RBC Foundation - USA will match up to $500 for employee contributions made to organizations providing disaster relief and humanitarian aid.
Salesforce.com Foundationwill automatically match, dollar-for-dollar, donations from its community of customers, partners, employees, and friends, up to $100,000. for two relief organizations: World Vision and the Red Cross. With the Foundation's matching funds, these critical organizations will get $200,000 in much-needed donations. The Foundation also shared guidance for those in its community looking to get more involved.
Southern Company Charitable Foundation is donating $50,000 to the American Red Cross.
The State Street Foundation is making a $400,000 grant to Oxfam America in support of its recovery efforts. In addition, the Foundation will also match up to $100,000 through a special Matching Gift Program for all employees globally to pledge additional support to Oxfam America’s efforts.
Time Warneris dedicating both financial and in-kind resources through its media outlets to the Haiti response effort. To date, employees have donated more than $240,000, which the company is matching, to the American Red Cross, International Rescue Committee, CARE and UNICEF. Larry King Live telethon has raised nearly $9 million (and counting) for UNICEF and the American Red Cross. On January 22, HBO, CNN Networks, TNT and The CW will join other television networks to offer commercial-free live coverage of the “Hope for Haiti” global telethon, which will feature CNN’s Anderson Cooper on location from Haiti. To help raise public awareness, several Time Warner networks and magazines including Cartoon Network have created public service announcements and dedicated space in their pages to share stories, commentary and photography. Time will publish a book on the Haitian disaster, with at least $75,000 of the proceeds benefiting relief efforts.
The Travelers Foundation is making a $50,000 corporate gift for earthquake relief to the Red Cross. In addition, we are setting up an expedited opportunity for a match of up to $50,000 in employee gifts of $25-500 to any of five selected organizations.
UPS is donating $1 million in cash and in-kind support to earthquake relief efforts in Haiti through its charitable arm, The UPS Foundation. The $1 million donation will include $500,000 in cash and up to $500,000 of in-kind services for the shipment of needed supplies. The funds will be divided between The American Red Cross, CARE, UNICEF and other organizations that assist with long-term relief activities.
The Verizon Foundation has awarded a total of $100,000 in grants to World Vision and Food for the Poor to assist the victims of the devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti. In addition, the Verizon Foundation will match 1-to-1 every dollar donated by Verizon employees to the two nonprofit organizations, up to $1,000 per employee, through the Verizon disaster relief incentive program.
The Western Union Company and the Western Union Foundation has helped raise over $1,265,000 in support of earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. Initial response included a $250,000 donation to help provide basic human relief efforts such as food, safe drinking water, access to sanitation facilities, clothing and temporary shelter through Mercy Corps and Save the Children response teams actively working in Haiti. Additionally, The Western Union Foundation has matched employee and Agent donations for a total of $533,261. Western Union in cooperation with its Agents has activated a "No Transfer Fee" program, for a limited time, for money-transfers sent to Haiti from participating Agent locations in the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and select locations in France.
Yahoo! is mobilizing its 600 million users to make donations via “How to Help” links across our network. The Yahoo! Employee Foundation is providing $100,000 in grants to UNICEF and Partners in Health and matching donations up to $1,000 for each US employee.
For more on the business response, please refer to the Business Civic Leadership Center tracker that lists additional companies.
Independent, Operating, or Public Foundations
The American Jewish World Service (AJWS) has been in direct contact with its three partners from the Dominican Republic and have supported them with emergency grants to provide immediate relief support around health, food and psychosocial support to communities affected by the earthquake in Jacmel, Grandade, Leogane, Port-au-Prince, Croix-des-Bouquets and Petionville. In addition, AJWS has created the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund to send immediate emergency aid to communities affected by this disaster.
Carnegie Corporation of New York has pledged $2 million to immediate relief efforts. The Corporation will release $1 million immediately to relief organizations that are responding to the disaster, and, at a later date, expects to release up to an additional $1 million for longer-term reconstruction efforts such as the building of new schools.
The Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative are encouraging donations through their Web site to help provide immediate relief and long-term support to earthquake survivors. Text "HAITI" to 20222 and $10 will be donated to relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.
The Columbia Foundation sent an email blast to all donors encouraging them to recommend grants from their donor-advised funds to support the efforts in Haiti. We also provide a link to various organizations that they could give to.
The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF)has pledged $25,000 to seed a recovery fund for Haiti and has partnered with trusted nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated recovery expertise and a shared commitment to ensuring equity and human dignity amidst disaster.
The McGregor Fund has made a $50,000 grant to the American Red Cross to support the disaster relief work.
Working with FOKAL, its foundation in Haiti, the Open Society Institute (OSI) intends to play a leadership role in the country’s redevelopment. In response to the immediate crisis, OSI is giving an initial $4 million dollars to support the relief efforts for disaster victims. Médecins Sans Frontières, Save the Children, CARE, and Catholic Relief Services will receive $1 million dollars each to provide immediate emergency care for disaster victims.
The Pew Charitable Trusts is contributing $500,000 to support relief efforts through two separate grants of $250,000 each to the American Red Cross and CARE.
The Quantum Foundation approved emergency grants to two local Haitian organizations. Hands Together of the Palm Beaches and Intercultural Family Health Education Center will each receive $10,000 general operating support in the wake of the earthquake in Haiti. The dollars will be used to support local efforts in the Palm Beach County Haitian community and be directed towards the residents who are most affected by the devastation.
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors issued a special statement on its Web site that provides recommendations for international aid organizations and guidance for longer-term rebuilding efforts.
The Tides Foundation has activated its Relief and Reconstruction Fund to aid the relief efforts following the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti. Through the Relief & Reconstruction Fund, the Tides community supports victims of natural and civil disasters across the globe through grants to effective grassroots and advocacy organizations working for short-term relief as well as for long-term economic and structural change. Tides has established funding relationships with groups working in Haiti including Partners in Health and the Lambi Fund as well as leading global relief organizations like the International Rescue Committee and Doctors Without Borders.
United Nations Foundation has committed $1 million and encourages donations through the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Follow on Twitter: @unfoundation.
Family Philanthropy
The 1675 Foundation is supporting relief in Haiti through a contribution to Partners in Health
The Ausherman Family Foundation provided a $5,000 donation to the American Red Cross.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is providing a $1 million grant to Catholic Relief Services (CRS), which has experienced personnel and a stock of emergency supplies in Haiti. This grant will help cover CRS’s initial relief efforts, which include addressing the immediate shelter, food, water, sanitation, health and other needs of those affected by the quake. CRS will also continue on-the-ground assessment of the damage.
The Blaustein Philanthropic Group has made the following grants in response to the recent earthquake in Haiti: The Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation, $50,000 to Partners in Health; The David and Barbara B. Hirschhorn Foundation, $5,000 to Catholic Relief Services; The Elizabeth B. and Arthur Roswell Foundation, $5,000 to Red Cross; and, The Henry and Ruth B. Rosenberg Foundation, $50,000 recipient organization TBD.
The Nathan Cummings Foundation of New York is making four Haitian Emergency Relief grants to Partners in Health, the Haitian Health and Education Foundation, Doctors without Boarders and the American Jewish World Service, for a total of $116,045.
The Jessie Ball DuPont Fund awarded $300,000 in emergency relief funds to support aid to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti - $150,000 to the Archdiocese of Miami; $100,000 to the University of Miami; and $50,000 to the American Red Cross
The Walter & Elise Haas Fund is providing grants of $100,000 each to Partners in Health and Doctors without Borders for their use in Haiti. We have focused on medical care, given the lack of existing health infrastructure. Also, both grantees have long histories (20+ years) in Haiti, and are well positioned to play a positive role in the short and long term response and reconstruction issues. In addition, the Fund has, for several years, provided general operating support to the International Rescue Committee and the American Jewish World Service, to maintain their capacity to respond to global disasters. Both the IRC and AJWS are playing active roles in responding to the disaster in Haiti.
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation has made a $500,000 emergency grant to the Western Hemisphere Regional Office of International Planned Parenthood Federation for it to provide reproductive and basic primary health care to Haitians affected by the recent earthquake.
The Green Family Foundation (GFF) asks those interested in learning about ways to help the people in Haiti to email the foundation to be added to their "Help for Haiti" e-mail list. Local fundraisers are being planned throughout Miami and New York.
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is making a $250,000 contribution to CARE for its Haiti Emergency Response Fund. CARE has more than 150 emergency relief staff on the ground delivering aid, helping survivors, and planning for long-term recovery, with an emphasis on the needs of children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
Prince Charitable Trusts is making two grants for Haiti Relief: $10,000 each to Doctors Without Borders and Partners in Health
The Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation has contributed $100,000 to the CJP Haiti Fund, which will channel most funds to Partners in Health.
The Roth Family Foundation is making a $5,000 to Partners in Health for their efforts in repsonse to this disaster.
The Triad Foundation is supporting relief in Haiti through a contribution to Doctors without Borders.
The Adele A. and Harold J. Westbrook Foundation has donated to the St. Bridget Catholic Church Haiti Committee in Richmond, Virginia in response to the desperate plight of refugees and residents of the City of Hinche, located north of Port au Prince.
Funder Networks (Regional Associations and Affinity Groups)
Florida Philanthropic Network will provide updated information on how people in its region can contribute to Haiti earthquake relief efforts on the Haiti Earthquake Relief Page on its Web site.
Philanthropy New York created a dedicated response webpage and is hosting a funders teleconference on Friday, January 22nd.
Colleague Organizations
Arabella Philanthropic Investment Advisors has issued a Haiti Emergency Update brief that includes recommendations for philanthropists, potential candidates for support, and additional resources.
Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) has created a resource list for those Canadian donors who wish to make a donation to the relief efforts and requests Canadian foundation to share their stories to Skana Gee at .
Situational Information
AlertNet: A humanitarian news network from the Reuters Foundation that provides detailed news updates on the extent of damage and ongoing humanitarian relief efforts.
ReliefWeb: A project of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This Web site serves as a clearing house for information related to the earthquakes and ongoing situational reports.
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): The arm of the UN Secretariat that is responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response effort. On its Web site, OCHA provides a series of situational reports and maps of the earthquake affected areas. The United Nations Office for Partnerships encourages financial donations to the UN Central Emergency Relief Response (CERF) Fund for Haiti: www.rapiddisasterrelief.org.
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): An entity within the United Nations Secretariat that provides a map of the earthquake damage.
Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC): A 501(c)3 affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that monitors in-country news as well as the business response.
NGO Response
ACDI/VOCA staff, which are working on a USAID Title II program in Haiti and already have a presence there, now are working with local civil sector agencies, NGOs, USAID and UN agencies including UNICEF, the World Food Programme and the UN peacekeeping mission, to aid in emergency relief efforts. The goals for the original project remain intact, and in fact the needs for agricultural development are more pronounced than ever. However, it is clear that much of the project’s focus will shift to recovery and those efforts already are underway. Learn more about ACDI/VOCA’s current efforts in Haiti at www.acdivoca.org and on Twitter at @acdivoca.
ActionAid has been working in Haiti since 1996 and has been implementing both short and long-term disaster response and recovery efforts. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.actionaidusa.org
Aidmatrix is working diligently with global NGO and local partners in Haiti to connect the various response efforts for the recent earthquake. Needs for in-Kind and transportation donations are currently being assessed and will be posted to the Aidmatrix Network as they become available. Follow on Twitter: @aidmatrix.
The American Red Cross has increased its initial $200,000 commitment to $1 million. The White House encourages donations through the Red Cross International Response Fund. Follow on Twitter: @RedCross.
AmeriCares has pledged $5 million worth of aid for the people of Haiti. Follow on Twitter: @americares
B’nai Brith Canada has announced the creation of an emergency disaster fund to assist the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Funds can be donated by calling 1-800-274-2310.
The Black Philanthropic Alliance, an organization that represents black philanthropy, recommends donors give cash rather than goods as there is no on the ground capacity to distribute them. They direct donors to give through their cell phone. Here's how:
SMS text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts
SMS text "YELE" to 501501 to Donate $5 to Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief efforts (Yele was established by recording artist Wyclef Jean)
The Global Fund for Women has responded to disaster relief for Haiti by raising over $10,000 in online appeals. Additional information about their efforts can be found on their web site.
GlobalGiving is partnering with local and international organizations providing emergency relief including food and water, shelter, and medical supplies. As the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti's needs are dire.
Grantmakers Without Borders recommends the following organizations:
American Jewish World Service
Global Fund for Children
Grassroots International
Lambi Fund of Haiti
HelpAge USA is working with local partner organizations in Haiti to ensure the short, medium and long-term challenges of older people are being met. HelpAge staff is on the ground in Haiti and are working in eleven nursing homes and outdoor gathering places of older people.
Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti (HAS), located 40 miles northwest of Port‐Au‐Prince, is an integrated rural health system that provides medical care and community health and development programs for more than 300,000 impoverished people in the Artibonite Valley of central Haiti.
InterAction: The largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. InterAction offers guidelines on he most appropriate ways to help those affected by overseas disasters.
Internews is officially mandated by UNOCHA, the global coordinator for Humanitarian response to be the lead media assistance agency in coordinating all international media assistance efforts to Haiti and for ensuring that media assistance efforts are coordinated with the need of Humanitarian organizations to get their information out to the affected population so that humanitarian information is accurate and consistently disseminated across broadcast, SMS, and print media. Internews is an international media development organization that empowers local media worldwide to serve the information needs of their communities. The organization has worked in over 70 countries and trained over 70,000 media professionals. In Haiti, the team is conducting a rapid assessment of local and national media transmission capabilities, audience reach and infrastructure damage, and will make recommendations for assistance.
Lambi Fund of Haiti is doing second responder work to help communities rebuild, especially the grassroots sustainable development and environmental projects they have supported all over Haiti. Updates can be see on their Facebook and Twitter pages as well as their website.
Lutheran World Relief committed $1 million for relief efforts that likely increase in the coming days and weeks based on need and donations. In addition, LWR has committed material resources valued at nearly $500,000 and is immediately sending 650 health kits and 1500 with its partner, Church World Service. Future shipments will include school kits for children. A team of professionals has been dispatched to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts.
MercyCorps is deploying an emergency response team to the island nation and has set up a Haiti Earthquake Fund. Follow on Twitter: @mercycorps
Save the Children has worked in Haiti since 1985, primarily in Port-au-Prince and the Central Plateau region, providing health, education, protection and food security programs to vulnerable children. The organization is currently distributing essential hygiene and household supplies to families who need them, and planning a large-scale relief effort with a focus on addressing the shelter, food, water, sanitation and protection needs of children. Follow on Twitter: @savethechildren
World Vision has worked in Haiti for 30 years and has some 370 staff in country. The organization encourages donations to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. Follow on Twitter: @WorldVisionUSA
View additional lists of on-the-ground relief agencies from BCLC, CBS News, and CNN.
Government and Multilateral Agencies
United Nations World Food Programme is working to meet the enormous logistical challenge of bringing in disaster relief supplies, equipment, and prepared foods urgently needed by people hardest-hit by the earthquake.
UNICEF will deploy essential aid—including safe water, sanitation supplies, therapeutic foods, medical supplies, and temporary shelter materials—as quickly as possible to assist with recovery efforts. Follow on Twitter: @UNICEF
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is dispatching a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and has activated its partners, the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team and the Los Angeles County Search and Rescue Team.
News Organizations and Twitter Feeds
News Outlets
ABC News
BBC
CNN
FOX News
New York Times
NBC
Washington Post
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
Al Jazeera
Twitter
Lists
@COF_/reliefagencies
@NavyNews/haiti-relief=
Organizations
@usarmy – U.S. Army
@navynews – U.S. Navy
@southcomwatch
@uscoastguard – U.S. Coast Guard
@defensegov
@whitehouse
@redcross – Red Cross
@unfoundation – United Nations Foundation
@wsj – Wall Street Journal
@ideskcnn – CNN iReport
@AmeriCares – Ameri Cares
@SalvationArmyUS – Salvation Army
@Concern – Concern Worldwide – US
Hashtag
#Haiti
#helpHaiti
You also can follow the Council on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/cof_ for real-time updates and news.
General Resources for Disaster Grantmaking
Disaster Grantmaking: A Practical Guide for Foundations and Corporations: A joint product of the Council on Foundations and the European Foundation Centre, this free publication suggests eight principles, listed on the left, plus practical tips for grantmakers to consider when responding to emergency situations. Download the PDF.
Center for International Disaster Information: Lists Guidelines for Appropriate International Disaster Donations.
Disaster Relief: Providing Assistance Through Charitable Organizations: Prepared by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Exempt and Government Entities division, this publication offers advice on how to give through existing U.S. charitable organizations, how to set up a new charitable organization, and the requirements for documentation. Download it here (in PDF).
"How to aim relief dollars where they're needed in Haiti," a CNN Opinion article written by Give2Asia on best practices learned by supporting disaster response in countries like China, Burma, and the Philippines.
Community Foundations Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan(Version 1.1), outlines the organization's strategy for responding to disaster, provides information essential to continuity of critical business functions, and identifies the resources needed to ensure safety of personnel, communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, provide timely emergency support and grantmaking service to the community, protect assets and vital records (electronic data and hardcopy), maintain continuity of mission-critical services and support operations.
