JANUARY 2010 - ISSUE # 7
Earthquake in Haiti: The
Nonprofit World Responds
In spite of the tough U.S. economy more
than $305 million was donated to 32 U.S. nonprofit groups within eight days
after the massive earthquake struck Haiti. In the six days after the flooding
started in New Orleans, Americans gave at least $457-million for relief
efforts. In the nine days after the Asian tsunamis, major U.S. relief groups
raised $163-million. Figure show that the pace of giving for Haiti is running ahead
of the amount donated in the same period after the Asian tsunamis in 2004, but
slower than the outpouring of gifts after the flooding caused by Hurricane
Katrina in 2005. However Americans at that time were not dealing with as tough
of an economical time or financial hardships.
Many groups are raising large sums
for relief efforts in Haiti online and
through text messages.
It has been estimate that this will be the most funds every raised by donations
giving through text messages.
The Red Cross had raised
$137-million through Tuesday, January 19, 2010 exactly one week after the
disaster struck Haiti.
Network for Good, an online charity
portal, has processed $3-million in donations for relief efforts in Haiti.
Funds are coming in at record breaking rates. Network for Good says that
smaller charities that had been working in Haiti before the earthquake - such
as Angelwish, Beyond Borders, and Hope for Haiti's Children Ministries - have raised
tens of thousands of dollars as well. You can donate to your
charity at: http://haitiearthquake.yahoo.com/networkforgood/index.html
There is a major fund raising
concert plan by a large number of broadcast media outlets hosted by entertainer
and celebrities that is expected to raise large sum of funds. On Friday,
January 22, the actor George Clooney is scheduled to host a fund-raising
telethon on MTV. Also, there are major efforts to raise funds by U.S.
professional sport teams as well as individuals players. Ever one is doing
whatever they can and giving whatever they can afford to help in one of the
worst natural disaster of our lifetime. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George
W. Bush are working together to raise
money for the relief effort
at the request of President Obama.
Although I have just chose to
highlight some of the fund raising activities going on in the U.S. similar fund
raising efforts are taken place around the world.
Do What You Can With What You Got!
You Chronicle can read more at: http://beta.philanthropy.com/article/Donations-to-Aid-Haiti-Exceed/63675/
Will Donations to Haiti Harm Giving
to Other Causes?
That is a question that concerns
some in the nonprofit sector. Yes, there are really some people that are
concerned with the amount of charitable support going out to Haiti may
hurt already tough fund raising effort at home for other causes. However, most
experts say that the support for Haiti will have very little impact on fund
raising for other causes.
Most experts say that giving to a
major disaster relief fund raising have very little impact on giving to other
charities. Bob Carter, vice chairman of Changing Our World, a nonprofit group
that consults with charities. "People who don't normally give to charity
will rise to a crisis and make a gift, and very few people who are generally
philanthropic are going to stop giving to things they believe in."
Normally when people donate to a crises, it usually over and above what they
normally give. There is data that show that very few people who are generally
philanthropic are going to stop giving to things they believe in.
Although people have donated to the
Haiti disaster I expect them to continual to donate to their causes in spite of
the tough economy. Most fund raisers who have raised funds for disasters in the
past said that nonprofit fundraisers should not be overly concerned with their
regular fund raising activities because of this disaster. For more information
see:
http://beta.philanthropy.com/article/Donations-to-Haiti-Will-Not/63629/
Keep on Extended a Hand
Hope To Haiti
=========================================
Things To Ponder
- Does your organization have a written plan on “How to
deal with and bounce back from adversity?” Instead of becoming paralyzed
by a crisis, you should have a plan on how to deal with the crises. Strong
leaders have a plan of action on how to quickly bring a resolution to the
adversity.
- Do you provide staff with a real meaning
way to share their thoughts about the state of the organization without
fear of jeopardizing their position?
- Social media has helped raise millions of
dollars for Haiti within a week of the earthquake. Has your organization
started to utilized and enjoy the benefits of social media?
- What are you doing to kick start 2010?
You should hold a budget review session with your leadership team to make
sure that everyone knows the financial challenges and opportunities for
the coming year. Analysis your current grant application calendar or
create one if you do not have one. Start check points and due dates well
in advance of the deadline to avoid last-minute crisis time on writing.
Look for holes and gaps in funding and research new prospects for funds.
===============================================================
Quotes of the moment
- “When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed
of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents
opportunity.” –John Kennedy
- “Whatever it takes, make it
happen!” –William Darling
- “Nobody made a bigger mistake
than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.”- Edmund Burke.
- “Offer encouragement and
support, not criticism and ridicule!”- William Darling (This is particular
for those in the mass media who are or who have made disparaging remarks
about the Haitian people in their time of suffering.)
- “The darkest night is often the
bridge to the brightest tomorrow.” Jonathan Lockwood Huie
·
Tidbits, News And Announcements
- New York effort that has enlisted
18,000 volunteers since starting last spring will spread to 10 more
cities, The New
York Times and Associated
Press report. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined his Chicago
counterpart, Richard M. Daley, and Judith Rodin, president of the
Rockefeller Foundation, to announce grants of $200,000 each to Chicago,
Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville, Newark, N.J., Omaha, Philadelphia,
Sacramento, Seattle, and Savannah, Ga., through the new Cities of Service
Coalition.The funds will pay for a “chief service officer” to develop and
run volunteer programs in the 10 cities, which were chosen from among 50
applicants.
- As part of the non-profit staff's development plan
encourage staff members to serve on the board of some other nonprofit (not
one that would be considered a competitor). The person will gain valuable
experience in an environment where they are not in a staff role. It helps
them individually and it will help your organization as they become aware
of the broader.
- A
Flurry of Last –Minute Giving Lifted Charities’ Holiday Appeals. See:
http://beta.philanthropy.com/article/A-Flurry-of-Last- Minute/63400
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