Philanthropy Front and Center-Cleveland

Interactive Feature: Focus on Gulf Coast Hurricane Giving

Visit the Foundation Center's interactive feature marking the third anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, Focus on Gulf Coast Hurricane Giving. You'll find maps and charts; detailed information about grants awarded; and news articles and research.

Since 2005, U.S. grantmakers have committed more than $1 billion for relief, recovery, and rebuilding in response to the disaster. Using our interactive maps and charts, you can explore more than 4,000 of the grants awarded, totaling over $800 million. These tools illustrate the geographic areas and types of services and organizations that received this support. Drill down by state, county, city, ZIP code, or three levels of giving category to zoom in on the individual grants that went to help those affected by the hurricanes.

Think About It: Midwest Disaster Relief

The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported on a story originally run in the Wichita Eagle about the recent tornadoes and flooding in Western Kansas and Missouri and the resulting strain being placed on the disaster relief resources of the local chapters of the American Red Cross and Salvation Army. A spokesperson for the Midway-Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross estimates that the financial resources needed to help those affected by these disasters is $30 million. With $13 million already on hand in cash and pledges when the story broke, a fundraising effort is underway by both organizations.

In addition to the great need pointed to in these stories, another standout was the tone of the few comments left by readers. Here's a sampling:

"I have not seen anything in any media from the Red Cross telling people how they can help. There were so many ways made available to help after Katrina. Is it just me not paying attention?"

"The Red Cross needs to look at the reserves held from previous disasters and discuss releasing those funds."

"Is the Red Cross so out of touch with the public that they do not realize why they aren’t raising the funds that they need... It is time for us to take a critical look at the way that disasters are addressed by the philanthropic sector."

[edited for clarity] "I'm sure that's not the only thing sapping all that money. Follow the money and I'm sure a lot of officials are living pretty large off all those donations. Whatever happened to all that money that was donated for 911 and Greensburg? Did it all go to the folks that needed it?"

"Unfortunately, disasters of the natural or other kind have zapped the resources of many of us."

What is going on here? Donor fatigue?  Evidence that there's a misunderstanding about how fundraising works in the nonprofit sector or that there's a lack of trust in nonprofit organizations? Or, could this simply be an example of using the power of anonymity to spark controversy? What do you think?

Keep in mind that there were very few comments and, by my count, one was positive. Here it is:

"Please give to the Salvation Army and the Red Cross. Make it anonymous and give only what you can afford, but please give. The Red Cross and the Salavation Army are there for all of us. We need to be there for each other through these 2 wonderful organizations that do so much to help people who have just been through the worst."